Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian

Steve Craigan (right) opened the scoring for Motherwell

In-form striker Derek Riordan rescued a point for Hibernian as the Edinburgh outfit consolidated their third-top place in the Scottish Premier League.

Motherwell, without a league win since 11 December, took a deserved lead when defender Stephen Craigan headed home a Steven Hammell corner.

Hibs had rarely threatened until Garry O'Connor was pulled down by goalkeeper Gordon Marshall after the break.

Riordan slotted home the penalty, after which Hibs pressed for a winner.

Hibs' good run had come to an end with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Rangers at the weekend.

And manager Tony Mowbray had to replace injured captain Ian Murray with Antonio Murray in midfield.

The visitors started nervously against unchanged Motherwell and David Murphy had to clear a David Partridge header off the Hibs line.

But Hibs raced up the pitch and striker Riordan latched onto a Sam Morrow cross at the back post only to shoot disappointingly wide from 10 yards.

Motherwell skipper Scott Leith's snap-shot from 20 yards tested Simon Brown, but the Hibs goalkeeper was equal to the task.

Murphy was on hand again to block a goalbound effort, this time from Craigan.

The Irishman eventually made the breakthrough in the 26th minute with his first-ever goal for the Lanarkshire side.

Craigan rose unchallenged above a static Hibs defence and headed home from six yards following a Hammell corner.

Hibs threatened to equalise just before the break, but goalkeeper Gordon Marshall saved comfortably after Stephen Whittaker supplied their first shot on target.

Dean Shiels had the first chance after the break, but Marshall stood up to challenge and parried away the drive from 15 yards.

Hibs won their first penalty of the season when Marshall, despite his protests, was adjudged to have pulled down O'Connor in the box.

Riordan finished clinically from the spot to level the scores.

Hibs dominated possession thereafter, with Well still dangerous on the break, but neither side could find a winner.

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Motherwell: Marshall, Paul Quinn, Partridge, Craigan, Hammell, McBride, O'Donnell (Fitzpatrick 45), Paterson (Clarkson 88), Hamilton, Scott McDonald (Foran 76), Leitch.
Subs Not Used: Corr, Wright, Kinniburgh, Connolly.

Booked: Hamilton, Craigan.

Goal: Craigan 26.

Hibernian: Simon Brown, Whittaker, Smith, Caldwell, Murphy, Shiels (Fletcher 76), Antonio Murray, Glass, Riordan, O'Connor (Konte 80), Morrow (Scott Brown 70).
Subs Not Used: Orman, McDonald, McCluskey, Alistair Brown.

Booked: Caldwell, Smith.

Goal: Riordan 66 pen.

Att: 7,453

Ref: K Clark