Penalty king Louis earns 'Well a point

Returning goal machine Louis Moult netted a second half penalty to earn Motherwell a 1-1 draw against Ross County at a sunkissed Dingwall on Saturday.
Louis Moult scored the equaliser for Motherwell at Ross County (Pic by Alan Murray)Louis Moult scored the equaliser for Motherwell at Ross County (Pic by Alan Murray)
Louis Moult scored the equaliser for Motherwell at Ross County (Pic by Alan Murray)

The prolific English hitman shot past Scott Fox after the keeper’s foul on Scott McDonald, as the Steelmen recovered from going behind to a Liam Boyce goal.

Eralier, the first chance of an uninspiring first half had arrived on 19 minutes when McDonald’s cross from the left was volleyed just wide by Chris Cadden.

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A robust challenge by Keith Lasley on Alex Schalk then saw the ‘Well skipper booked, before the same fate befell County’s Andrew Davies for a challenge on Craig Clay.

’Well keeper Craig Samson was called into action fwhen he did well to turn the ball round the post after Martin Woods’ long free-kick.

The hosts went very close when the dangerous Michael Gardyne’s curling shot hit the bar and Jonathan Franks’ subsequent cross was headed over by Schalk.

After a goalless first period, the second half started in lively fashion and County had a penalty shout refused for Ben Heneghan’s challenge on Boyce.

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Cadden’s great run and cross at the other end then preceded new signing Ryan Bowman and Scott McDonald having efforts blocked.

Lasley – who was suffering from a dead leg – was replaced by Lionel Ainsworth before County almost went ahead when Boyce headed wide after a Gardyne cross.

Debutant Bowman almost netted his first for ‘Well but his back post effort was blocked after Ainsworth’s cross.

But the former Gateshead man – a Frank Ribery lookalike Bowman – then went off injured to be replaced by the returning Moult.

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And the deadlock was broken by the hosts on 60 minutes when Boyce clinically shot home a Gardyne pass with the ’Well defence posted missing.

County then had a second ‘goal’ disallowed for offside when Schalk tapped home after an initial Boyce shot was saved by Samson.

And a minute later the visitors levelled when Moult shot low into the left corner to send the travelling ’Well fans into raptures.

Hopes of an away win were further boosted when County were reduced to 10 men, Jay McEveley sent packing for a foul on McDonald.

Moult had a shot blocked and Stephen McManus shot over before ’Well’s best chance for a winner went south when Ainsworth headed weakly at Fox after McDonald’s cross from the left.