[DavidMc]

St Mirren 3-1 Motherwell
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 19th January 08
Love Street, Paisley

Potential Scotland manager Mark McGhee's in-form Motherwell side suffered defeat by St Mirren thanks to two goals from Ian Maxwell.
Mark Corcoran fired St Mirren into the lead after just nine minutes, but David Clarkson's powerful drive put the sides level two minutes later.

Maxwell headed home a Corcoran corner after 38 minutes to restore the lead.

And the defender grabbed his third goal in three games, driving home after Corcoran cut the ball into his path.

McGhee, interviewed this week by the Scottish FA, brought in Marc Fitzpatrick for the suspended Jim Paterson at left-back.

Martin Grehan, a January signing from junior side Dundonald Bluebell, was on the bench for the first time.

Recent St Mirren signing Andy Dorman made his first start in place of the suspended Gary Mason, while Alex Burke dropped to the bench to allow Hugh Murray to join the Englishman in midfield.

Dorman forced Graeme Smith into an early stop, while striker Craig Dargo sent a difficult bicycle kick just wide of the left-hand post as the hosts made a bright start.

And the opening goal came when Dorman played the ball for Corcoran, who sprinted down the left wing and confidently drilled the ball low past Smith and into the net.

It was a deserved lead but one that proved short-lived.

With St Mirren appealing in vain for a handball decision in the box, the ball was played back from the byline to Clarkson just inside the area and he left goalkeeper Chris Smith helpless with a powerful strike that sailed into the top corner.


David Clarkson had equalised for the visitors

Clarkson then played a one-two with Ross McCormack but dragged his effort wide of the right-hand post.

But it was the Buddies who regained the lead, Maxwell meeting a Corcoran corner and heading low into the net from six yards.

St Mirren were in the ascendancy and it was 3-1 four minutes after the break, when Corcoran cut the ball back for Maxwell, who drilled the ball home from the penalty spot.

Motherwell's Stephen Hughes tumbled inside the box under a challenge from Hugh Murray, but referee Dougie McDonald waved play on.

Dorman came close to a fourth when his shot from six yards was turned just round the left-hand post.

Clarkson had a chance to reduce the deficit, but Chris Smith clutched his shot at the base of the right-hand post.

Maxwell hooked the ball over the bar late on and goalkeeper Smith again had to get down at the left-hand post to prevent Murray's long-range drive sneaking in.

Grehan made an energetic late debut for Motherwell and Clarkson had a header clutched under the bar.

But the visitors never looked likely to stage a comeback and Smith prevented Dargo adding another for the Buddies late on.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St Mirren: Smith, Barron, Haining, Potter, Maxwell, van Zanten, Murray, Dorman, Corcoran, Mehmet, Dargo (Kean 90).
Subs Not Used: Howard, Burke, Brady, Miranda, McCay, McGinn.

Booked: van Zanten, Murray, Dorman.

Goals: Corcoran 9, Maxwell 38, 49.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Lasley, McGarry (Murphy 63), Hughes, McCormack (Brian McLean 75), Porter (Grehan 85), Clarkson.
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Darren Smith, Maguire, Archdeacon.

Booked: Craigan.

Goals: Clarkson 11.

Att: 4,291

Ref: D McDonald