Motherwell 3-1 Dundee Utd

Motherwell came from behind to take all three points, with David Clarkson claiming a hat-trick.

United took an early lead thanks to a fantastic free kick by Mark Wilson and United went on to dominate the half.

Motherwell fought their way back into the game and equalised on the hour mark through young Clarkson.

The home side were well on top by this stage and Clarkson put them in front shortly afterwards, before sealing his hat-trick late in the game.

The home side had the better of the early play and the first piece of goalmouth action came in the 11th minute when David McCracken did well to block an effort from Clarkson.

However, in the 15th minute, with their first shot on goal, United took the lead.

Well defender Stephen Craigan fouled Jason Scotland just outside the box and, from the free-kick, Wilson bent a right-footed shot round the wall and into the corner of the net past the despairing Gordon Marshall.

United looking the more likely to score again in the subsequent period, but Motherwell broke away in the 24th minute and Jason Dair tried a speculative effort from 25 yards that Paul Gallacher gathered with ease.

The game became rather scrappy, but on the stroke of half-time, a great cross from Wilson on the right found Jim McIntyre, whose header from eight yards out hit the post before bouncing clear.

A minute into the second half United skipper Derek McInnes had a snap-shot from 20 yards, which was blocked by the thigh of Well defender Martyn Corrigan.

United manager Ian McCall despairs at his side's defeat

Gradually Motherwell fought their way back into the game and, in the 52nd minute, Jason Dair had a far-post header from a Derek Adams free kick cleared off the line by McCracken.

It was the home side who now had the bit between their teeth, forcing a series of corners and there was no surprise when they finally equalised in the 60th minute.

A clever throughball by Adams beat United's offside trap for once, leaving Clarkson to confidently round Gallacher and slip the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Marshall denied Andy McLaren from point-blank range and almost immediately, the home side took the lead with Clarkson's second goal of the game.

A Steven Hammell corner from the right found the youngster who had a free header inside the six-yard box to bury the ball behind Gallacher.

United began to make chances as they attempted to level the scores.

But Motherwell were looking dangerous on the break and, in the 77th minute, Alex Burns brought off a good save from Gallacher with an angled drive from 16 yards, which the United keeper did well to parry before gathering.

But Well made sure of the points in injury time when Clarkson held off one challenge before slipping the ball past Gallacher for a great hat-trick to cap a great second-half display.

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Motherwell: Marshall, Quinn, Craigan, Corrigan, Hammell, Lasley, Leitch (O'Donnell 79), Adams, Dair, Clarkson, Burns.

Subs Not Used: Corr, McDonald, Fagan, Wright.

Booked: Hammell, Clarkson, Leitch.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCracken, Innes (Duff 36), Archibald, Wilson, McInnes, Kerr, James Paterson (McLaren 66), Dodds, McIntyre (Samuel 49), Scotland.

Subs Not Used: Miller, Jarvie.

Booked: Archibald, McLaren, Wilson.

Att: 5,549

Ref: C Richmond