IT WAS live on the telly but they weren't playing for the cameras.
"There was no spark, no continuity, no quality. Scrappy, very frustrating. There's nothing else I can say, other than that it was poor," summed up Motherwell manager Mark McGhee.
In fairness to Kilmarnock, they were the better team and lived up to the billing more than Motherwell did. The hosts still haven't posted a league win this year or won at home in the division for four months. They might have put their barren run to bed yesterday and it was to Jim Jefferies' regret that they didn't. "We tried to go and win the game today. We deserved a lead. It would have been a travesty if we'd lost. We were up for it. We competed well. When you're down there, every point's a prisoner. So we got something out of it."
Initially there was a shared intent to attack and the crowd – including a feeble Motherwell support – saw some nice flicks and exchanges. Garry Hay sprang forward for Kilmarnock and sent a weak shot wide. Strong running from Motherwell's Paul Quinn enabled Cillian Sheridan to burst into the home box but he opted to pass rather than shoot. It didn't come off. Kilmarnock then enjoyed a decent spell of pressure but the Motherwell defence kept them at bay. Hay swept in a delicious cross for David Fernandez, but his header did not match the quality of the supply.
The game deteriorated as passes were misplaced, control was lacking and crosses were over-hit. Mehdi Taouil tried to offer some midfield inspiration for the hosts but was either hauled down by men in Motherwell shirts or misunderstood by slow-thinking team-mates. After half an hour it was not possible to recall either goalkeeper being forced into a decent save.
Neat play from Hay gave Fernandez the chance to fire in a dangerous cross but Kevin Kyle stumbled at the vital moment and failed to get his head on it. The next time the ball came in he jumped too soon. Kilmarnock's good possession was being let down by poor finishing.
Meanwhile McGhee had had enough of some of the barracking he was getting from the main stand. He turned round and pointed out the main offender to the police. Some of the Kilmarnock fans told McGhee to watch his team. The supporter who had so upset McGhee was removed from his seat before the half-time whistle sounded. "Eventually I tried to get Jim (Jefferies] arrested," joked McGhee. "His language was worse than the guy behind me."
Motherwell had been a disappointment so far and really needed to up their performance in the second-half. The main positive for the visitors was that they had not fallen behind. Jim O'Brien tried to put Motherwell ahead from 20 yards, but his rising drive cleared the crossbar. At least the sun was shining.
Fernandez was making for the Motherwell penalty area when he was brought down by Mark Reynolds. There wasn't much contact in it but enough for the referee to blow for a foul. The Kilmarnock fans screamed for a red card and a penalty. Instead, Reynolds was shown the yellow card and Kilmarnock were given a free-kick on the edge of the box. Hay struck it low and the ball was partly cleared before Taouil blasted it over the bar. Then Hay's hanging cross tempted Kyle but the striker's header dipped past the post.
There followed a flurry of cautions as the Kilmarnock duo of David Lilley and Jamie Hammill and Motherwell's Maros Klimpl all ended up in the bad books.
Steven Hammell made a tremendous saving header to deny near namesake Hammill at the back post. When Fernandez went down in a heap, play continued and Motherwell passed the ball about to the accompaniment of jeers from the Kilmarnock supporters. Klimpl eventually put a deflected shot over the bar and by the time Motherwell took their corner Fernandez was back on his feet, moving gingerly. Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith denied Manuel Pascali from close range and, at the other end, Klimpl shot into the arms of Alan Combe when the Czech should have done more to test the home keeper.
This was much better fare from both sides but time was running out for one of them to snatch the three points. Motherwell gave it a go and there were nerves among the home support as the visitors attempted to nick it with a couple of late corners. Motherwell substitute David Clarkson volleyed narrowly over as the hosts held on. There was some late anxiety too in the Motherwell box, but the contest ended goalless. As 0-0 draws go, it wasn't the worst in the world.
Kilmarnock had already beaten Motherwell twice in the league this season but they couldn't make it a third time. The home side had the balance of play but the forwards expected to put the ball in the net couldn't. It was another near thing for Kilmarnock and it has been their story of late. They should be doing better. And Motherwell can do a lot better.
The full article contains 871 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
