Gretna 1-3 Motherwell

Gretna’s survival hopes were dealt another blow despite a brave performance against their Fir Park landlords.

Motherwell were on course for a comfortable victory thanks to Chris Porter and Ross McCormack but Brendan McGill gave the Black and Whites a lifeline.

They finished strongly once again and were controversially denied a late penalty before McCormack put the result beyond doubt with his second of the game. 

Goalkeeper Artur Krysiak made the first appearance of his loan spell in place of the suspended Greg Fleming, and following a nervous opening, he settled with a low save from a Darren Smith shot on the edge of the box.

After impressing as a substitute against Hibs on Wednesday night, Brendan McGill was also promoted to the starting line-up and almost gave the home side the lead on 20 minutes.

Kenny Deuchar pounced on short header back by Well’ captain Paul Quinn and although his shot was blocked by Graeme Smith, the ball fell to McGill but his attempted lob landed on the roof of the net.

At the other end, Chris Porter had a goal ruled out for offside but five minutes later, the flag stayed down as Motherwell made the most of a lucky break.

Stephen Hughes’ 20 yard drive deflected into the path of top scorer Porter, who slotted home his 12th goal of the season from close range.

The visitors broke quickly on several occasions and McCormack headed straight at Krysiak before Porter found the side-netting in a similar attack.

Gretna had their chances too though, and as half-time approached, John Paul Kissock blasted a Deuchar knock-down over the bar and Gavin Skelton shot high from the edge of the box.

But the makeshift defence struggled to contain Porter and he broke the offside trap once again only to drag his shot wide of the post.

And they were less fortunate after the break as Motherwell doubled their lead. Craig Barr failed to deal with Hughes’ long-ball forward and McCormack finished into the corner of the net.

Gretna needed a response and they got one just three minutes later. Kissock fed Buscher on the left-hand side and his low cross was easily converted by McGill at the far post.

The goal only inspired the visitors however, and they resumed intent on restoring their advantage. Darren Smith was gifted possession and raced through on goal but Polish debutant Krysiak did well to block his shot.

Porter then struck the crossbar from 18 yards before drawing another good save from Krysiak with a header from McCormack’s excellent cross.

But with 20 minutes remaining, Davie Irons breathed new life into his side with the introduction of Nicky Deverdics and Ryan Baldacchino. The latter almost scored with his first-touch, forcing Smith to touch over his 30 yard free-kick from underneath the crossbar.

From the resulting corner, the ball fell kindly to Deverdics and his shot was blocked on the line by Keith Lasley. The Geordie midfielder drove another shot narrowly wide as Gretna piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

They had a strong claim for a penalty waved away by Referee Alan Freeland when Stephen Craigan pushed Deuchar in the back as he rose to meet Skelton’s cross.

As it happened, Motherwell immediately went up the park and wrapped up the points. McCormack was quick to capitalise on a mistake by Barr and he lofted the ball over the advancing Krysiak and into the net.

It was a crushing blow but they rallied again in injury-time and Smith produced a brilliant save from Skelton’s powerful free-kick to deny Gretna another goal they deserved.

Gretna: Krysiak, Naughton, Meynell (Makinwa 89), Hall, Barr, Murray, Skelton, McGill, Buscher (Deverdics 70), Deuchar, Kissock (Baldacchino 70). Subs not used: Grant, Griffiths, Wilkinson, Shultz-Eklund.

Motherwell: G Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Hughes (Lasley 70), Fitzpatrick, D Smith, Porter (Lappin 83), McCormack, Clarkson. Subs not used: Daniels, McLean, McGarry, Murphy, Archdeacon.

Star Man: Gavin Skelton
Yet another industrious performance from the long-serving midfielder who has shown real maturity this season. He battled hard to win possession alongside skipper Paul Murray and only a superb save from Graeme Smith denied him a goal late on.

Attendance: 2,877
Referee: Alan Freeland