Motherwell 4-2 Dundee Utd

Butcher happy with comeback McCall undone by McDonald

In-form Scott McDonald scored twice as Motherwell came from behind to defeat Dundee United in a Fir Park thriller.

James Grady tapped home the opener for United slightly against the run of play following a defensive error.

McDonald headed Well level after the break and David Clarkson pounced on a mistake by goalkeeper Tony Bullock.

Jim McIntyre hammered United level again, but McDonald sprinted clear a minute later to put Well ahead and Alex Burns headed another in stoppage time.

Motherwell manager Terry Butcher had been able to name an unchanged side for the third week in a row as he sought to extend their unbeaten run to five games.

United manager Ian McCall rested veteran Billy Dodds, who dropped to the bench, with his place in midfield taken by skipper Derek McInnes.

Well were first to threaten, a McDonald drive from just inside the box flying just wide, while Phil O'Donnell and David Clarkson, plus United's Mark Wilson, failed to hit the target with speculative efforts.

But the visitors were gifted a goal in first-half injury time.

Motherwell defender Steven Hammell fell over attempting a clearance inside his own box and striker Grady poked the ball into the net from close range.

Well were dealt another blow three minutes into the second period when skipper Scott Leitch went off injured to be replaced with Shaun Fagan.

McIntyre missed a great chance to put United further ahead before Motherwell equalised.

O'Donnell sent in a well-timed cross from the left and the unmarked McDonald made the most of his opportunity by nodding past the helpless Bullock from 12 yards out.

It was 2-1 when McBride fired in a terrific angled shot from the edge of the box, Bullock fumbled and the alert Clarkson was on hand to knock the ball into the net from five yards out.

Bullock, now struggling with a shoulder injury sustained in the first half after a challenge by Clarkson, went off injured to be replaced by debutant Canadian international Lars Hirschfeld.

The visitors were back level when a long free-kick from Robson was headed down by Chris Innes and McIntyre made no mistake as he hammered the ball past Marshall.

But, just seconds later, the Fir Park men were back in front when McDonald sprinted through the middle of the United defence and drove the ball past Hirschfeld.

McDonald's replacement, Burns, met a Clarkson cross at the back post to head home number four in stoppage time.

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Motherwell: Marshall, Corrigan, Craigan, Kinniburgh, Hammell, McBride, Leitch (Fagan 48), O'Donnell, Foran (Paterson 87), Clarkson, Scott McDonald (Burns 83).
Subs Not Used: Corr, Partridge, Paul Quinn, Wright.

Goals: Scott McDonald 53, Clarkson 57, Scott McDonald 70, Burns 90.

Dundee Utd: Bullock (Hirschfeld 62), Wilson, Innes, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, McInnes (McLaren 68), Brebner, Robson, McIntyre, Grady (Scotland 71).
Subs Not Used: Duff, Dodds, Bell, Kenneth.

Goals: Grady 45, McIntyre 69.

Attendance: 5,091

Referee: I Brines