Motherwell 1-1 Dundee United

John Sutton celebrates scoring a debut goal for Motherwell

John Sutton netted on his debut in Motherwell's Scottish Premier League match against a Dundee United with only three Scots in the starting line-up.

However, their lead lasted only six minutes before Lee Wilkie headed home to make it all square at half-time.

Motherwell had most of the play in the second half but couldn't make one of their many chances count.

Chris Porter also missed a penalty as the home side's failure to finish off their good play let them down.

Motherwell started brightly, pressuring Lukas Zaluska in the United goal, with Keith Lasley, Steven Hammell and Stephen Craigan particularly lively.

But United carried the greater attacking threat in the opening 15 minutes.

Prince Buaben had the first goal effort of the match with a 25-yard diagonal shot from the left which home goalkeeper Graeme Smith stretched full-length to beat round the opposite post.

Scott Roberston and Motherwell's Marc Fitzpatrick

Motherwell's first real chance came after 17 minutes when Stephen McGarry floated in a ball from the right flank intended for Chris Porter at the far post, only for Michael Kovacevic to muscle the home striker off the ball.

On 22 minutes there was a major let-off for Motherwell when Morgaro Gomis' shot from Warren Feeney's pass struck the right-hand post when he looked sure to score.

The home side were enjoying more possession going forward as the half wore on, and took the lead on 33 minutes when Sutton marked his arrival with a goal.

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Neat interplay involving David Clarkson and Paul Quinn led to Quinn's cross from the right finding Lasley in the United box.

The midfielder headed the ball back into the middle where Sutton was waiting to volley home from close range.

However, the lead lasted only six minutes; Gomis fired in a great cross from the left corner and captain Wilkie headed in through the arms of Smith.

After the break, the good play continued from both sides, but there were few chances, with the United strikers in particular struggling to get a touch.

Motherwell were inches away from regaining the lead following a Steven Hammell free kick in midfield after Buaben had brought down Porter.

The set piece was glanced on by Quinn and then Sutton almost nodded in on the goal line, but the ball was scrambled clear.

Motherwell then squandered a glorious opportunity to score after 55 minutes as Dundee United's defence was all at sea .

First Kenneth, then Porter and then Clarkson all fired shots against Zaluska, who finally gathered.

Then Hammell lofted a long ball half the length of the field and Clarkson was left in plenty of space to bear down on goal.

Zaluska stretched up a hand to stop his initial lob, and Clarkson then contrived to hit the bar from close range with his second attempt.

Neither he nor strike partner Porter were able to turn the ball home as it bobbled around the six-yard box.

United goalkeeper Zaluska then maintained his excellent second-half form by saving a penalty from Porter on the hour.

The Motherwell striker had been crudely bundled over by Garry Kenneth as he raced into the area and stepped up to take the spot kick himself.

But Zaluska was more than equal to the task as he got down to his left to beat the ball to safety.

With just eight minutes left, Porter then ran through with his sights set on goal.

However, he was flagged for offside when he seemed all set to score what would have been a deserved winner for the home side.

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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Clarkson, Lasley, McGarry, Fitzpatrick, Sutton, Porter.

Subs Not Used: Nielsen, Darren Smith, Murphy, O'Brien, Malcolm, Connolly, Forbes.

Booked: Clarkson, Reynolds.

Goal: Sutton 34.

Dundee United: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Wilkie, Kenneth, Grainger, Gomis, Flood, Buaben, Scott Robertson, Feeney (Swanson 74), O'Donovan (Sandaza 62).

Subs Not Used: McGovern, Dillon, Daly, David Robertson, Dixon.

Booked: Gomis, Buaben, Sandaza, Grainger.

Goal: Wilkie 40.

Att: 5,149

Ref: D McDonald