Motherwell 2-1 Aberdeen

May 11 2008 Michael Baillie At Fir Park

But Well Boss Won't Stamp Passport Yet

BOSS Mark McGhee revealed the champagne is still on ice after guiding Motherwell to the brink of Europe. Victory over Dons puts the Fir Park men within touching distance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

And a third-place finish will be sealed if Celtic beat Hibs at Parkhead today.

Second-half goals from sub Darren Smith and Chris Porter ended Aberdeen's hopes in the race for the top three.

And McGhee later hailed the players who narrowly avoided relegation last season but are now set for Europe.

He said: "We've done our part but you can't take anything for granted in football.

"I've told the lads to keep a lid on things meantime. We've got a supporters' event after the Celtic match and if Hibs get beat we can have a wee celebration.

"But it's all on hold until we know it's absolutely certain.

"It was a nervy day but we've come through. And if we do finish third the lads deserve a lot of credit."

Referring to the aftermath of skipper Phil O'Donnell's death McGhee said: "The players have had to deal with a lot this season but they've helped each other and shown a tremendous spirit to get through."

"A lot of the boys remain quite disturbed and emotional by those events."

The gaffer added: "If the result goes our way at Parkhead our achievement will be up there with anything I've known.

"But it's not a miracle - these boys are good enough."

Aberdeen cancelled out Smith's opener with a sensational Sone Aluko goal.

Jimmy Calderwood's men will feel hard done by as a Barry Nicholson shot appeared to cross the line - but a goal wasn't given.

With the admission price set at just s5 supporters were still streaming into a packed Fir Park when Well created the first chance after 13 minutes. David Clarkson played a one-two with Porter, flicked the ball round Scott Severin then unleashed a volley that flew over.

Dons were forced in to a change after 17 minutes. Andrew Considine hobbled off and was replaced by Davie Bus as Calderwood went with three at the back.

Well went close when Porter got on the end of Stephen Hughes' cross but his header just nicked off Bus and cleared the bar.

Then Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield was well placed to tip over a curling 25-yard free-kick from Steven Hammell.

McGhee made a change at the interval, bringing on Darren Smith for Marc Fitzpatrick.

Well made the early running in the second half as they pushed for the breakthrough.

When the opener finally arrived after an hour Fir Park erupted.

Porter knocked Hughes' cross into Smith's path and although his first effortwas blocked by Karim Touzam the ball rebounded back into his path and he stabbed it home.

The home fans went wild and Smith was booked for taking his shirt off during his celebration.

Calderwood took off Walker for Aluko after 64 minutes and the sub made a dramatic impact just three minutes later. Mackie's cross found Aluko who picked it out with a sweet left-foot volley that fizzed past Graeme Smith.

The Well keeper then beat away a drilled cross from Aluko and made a sensational stop to stop Nicholson's net-bound effort.

Dons screamed at linesman Martin Cryans that the ball had crossed the line - and TV pictures back them up - but the goal wasn't given.

Aberdeen made their third change bringing on Chris Maguire for Mackie but seconds later Motherwell edged ahead again. The impressive Hughes burst from the midfield, cut through the defence and played a low ball across the face of the goal for Porter to sidefoot home.

Dons almost snatched a point in injury time as Maguire's clipped free-kick smacked the bar.

Goal hero Smith said his opener was the most important of his career.

He said: "It was a massive goal.

"I didn't care about being booked.

It was just emotion, pure relief."

Smith hopes Motherwell can hold on to McGhee after his achievements this season.

He said: "Every Well fan wants the manager to stay.

"He has done so much in one year - just think what he could do in two.

"It has been amazing despite all the things thrown at us.

"We'll all watch the Celtic game together and hopefully we'll be celebrating afterwards."

REF WATCH

CRAIG THOMSON had a decent game but was let down by linesman Martin Cryans who failed to spot that Barry Nicholson's shot had crossed the line. It was a big call as the game was finely balanced. Rating: 6/10.

MATCH STATS

MOTHERWELL

SHOTS ON 6

SHOTS OFF 5

OFFSIDE 0

FOULS 13

CORNERS 11

BOOKINGS 1

ABERDEEN

SHOTS ON 3

SHOTS OFF 3

OFFSIDE 2

FOULS 14

CORNERS 0

BOOKINGS 1