Motherwell 0-1 Dundee Utd

Dundee United leapfrogged Motherwell into fifth spot in the SPL thanks to a wonderful strike from Mark Wilson.

The home team enjoyed the bulk of possession but seldom fashioned good goal-scoring chances.

United contributed little to what was a drab game but stole the points when Wilson found the net from 18 yards early in the second half.

Motherwell pressed for an equaliser but lacked composure near the penalty area and were easily kept at bay.

The home side looked more assured in the opening stages but failed to seriously trouble Scotland keeper Paul Gallacher.

Motherwell came close in the 12th minute with a good run and cross from David Clarkson, only for Shaun Fagan to lose his footing at the back post at the crucial moment.

Five minutes later United midfielder Mark Kerr produced a brave and crucial block inside his own box to defuse a blistering Jason Dair shot.

On the stroke of half time Motherwell put together a slick passing move and Scott McDonald's fizzing cross only needed the merest of touches to give the home side the lead.

United cleared the danger and launched a counter-attack that resulted in Jason Scotland shooting wildly over the crossbar.

The home side started the second period on top and David Clarkson was unluckyto see his looping header pushed out by Gallacher and his follow-up effort, while on his back, was cleared off the line by David McCracken.

But Wilson stunned the home crowd in the 52nd minute when he cut inside following a brilliant Charlie Miller cross-field pass and unleashed a wonderful curling shot past keeper Gordon Marshall from the edge of the penalty area.

Terry Butcher's side nearly drew level in the 58th minute when McDonald had a goal-bound effort blocked in the six-yard box by Kerr after Gallacher had fumbled a left-wing cross.

Motherwell continued to push for the equaliser but were being repelled with comfort by the United defence, while the visitors remained dangerous on the break.

in the 82nd minute Clarkson wriggled free of Alan Archibald but his low drive across goal was well parried by Gallacher, with David McCracken on hand to chest the rebound back to his keeper.

Motherwell: Marshall, Quinn, Craigan, Corrigan, Hammell, Fagan, Adams, Burns (Craig 81), Dair, Clarkson, Scott McDonald. Subs Not Used: Corr, Kevin McDonald, Wright, Higgins.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Duff, Innes, McCracken, Archibald, Wilson, Kerr, Miller (Easton 85), McInnes, Samuel (Conway 79), Scotland (Dodds 70). Subs Not Used: Bullock, Kenneth.

Attendance: 5,722
Referee: A Freeland