[DavidMc]

Motherwell 2-2 Dundee United
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 25th April 08
Fir Park, Motherwell

Lee Wilkie's late header secured a draw for Dundee United as Motherwell closed in on third place in the SPL and a Uefa Cup place for next season.

Chris Porter headed the opener in 16 minutes from David Clarkson's flick on.

The visitors got a deserved equaliser when Stephen Craigan headed past his own keeper Graeme Smith.

Porter headed his and Well's second five minutes after the break. But United equalised again when Wilkie seized on poor defending to score.

Motherwell pair David Clarkson and Bob Malcolm returned from suspension, with Brian McLean and Marc Fitzpatrick dropping to the bench.

Victory for Well would move them four points clear of United in third place, the division's only guaranteed UEFA Cup spot.

Dundee United striker Jon Daly made his first start since November as he replaced Mark de Vries.

Danny Grainger came in at left-back for the injured Christian Kalvenes.

Flood almost broke the deadlock in the third minute when his rasping 20-yard drive was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Graeme Smith.

The midfielder was proving a thorn in Motherwell's side and again went close five minutes later when his shot was blocked on the edge of the box.

Flood blazed over in the 16th minute and Motherwell made United pay for their profligacy when they took the lead moments later.


Stephen Craigan headed into his own net to gift United an equaliser


Stephen Hughes' cross was flicked on by Clarkson and Porter headed home from close range, with United claiming in vain for offside.

Motherwell went close to doubling their lead 10 minutes before half-time when Bob Malcolm's free-kick slid just wide of Smith's right-hand post.

United got a deserved equaliser when Gomis' deep cross was headed back across goal by Noel Hunt, and Craigan's attempted headed clearance looped into his own net.

Porter put Motherwell back in front five minutes after the break when he rose unchallenged to head home Ross McCormack's free-kick.

The home side were warming to the task and began to dominate the midfield.

Both sides had half-chances to score, before Wilkie got United's second equaliser when he headed home with four minutes remaining to ensure a share of the spoils.




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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Clarkson, Hughes, Malcolm, Lappin, Porter, McCormack. Subs: Daniels, Brian McLean, Lasley, Fitzpatrick, McGarry, Darren Smith, Murphy.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Robertson, Gomis, Flood, Kerr, Daly, Hunt. Subs: McLean, O'Brien, Conway, Kenneth, De Vries, Kovacevic, McCord.