Motherwell 2-2 Dundee Utd

Apr 27 2008 Scott Mcdermott At Fir Park

Hero Lee Should Have Been Subbed

LEE WILKIE was about to be HOOKED by gaffer Craig Levein seconds before he grabbed United a UEFA Cup lifeline. The Tannadice stopper was having a stinker at Fir Park, struggling to deal with Motherwell front duo Chris Porter and David Clarkson on the shambolic surface.

But just as the Arabs skipper was about to be subbed by his boss - as Levein prepared to go for broke - he popped up with four minutes left to head home United's vital equaliser.

Porter's double - either side of a Stephen Craigan own goal - had Mark McGhee's troops 2-1 up and closing in Europe.

But Wilkie's goal kept Levein's men in the hunt for third spot in the SPL and a place in the UEFA Cup.

Well could have won it in the dying seconds when Keith Lasley wasted a golden chance but a point apiece was fair.

Wilkie was relieved to get the leveller and insists United won't give up on their European dream with Well just a point ahead of them.

He said: "I didn't play well at all and it was just one of those days.

"The conditions didn't help - it can't get any worse than a windy day and a bobbly pitch.

"It's all about who adapts better and we started well. They scored with their first real attack and maybe we were complacent and forgot about defending.

"I know the gaffer likes to go for it at the end but I didn't know I was due to come off until after the goal.

"It was an important header because it means we still have a chance of Europe.

"I've been saying this for a few weeks but the next game against Aberdeen is a must-win now.

"It might go down to the last day and I hope the Old Firm still have everything to play for at the top.

"It's great for Scottish football and these are the games you want to play in. There's nothing worse than being in the bottom six."

Games between these clubs will probably never be the same again - especially at Fir Park.

They met in Lanarkshire for the first time yesterday since Phil O'Donnell's tragic death on December 29 - when Wilkie was the first to the midfielder's aid after he collapsed on the turf.

That match ended 5-3 to Well but the scoreline and performance was quickly forgotten when it emerged that the Steelmen's captain had passed away.

So there will always be an eerie sadness around the ground whenever United visit - even yesterday with so much at stake.

United started like a house on fire. Willo Flood's 25-yard rocket set the tone and Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith did brilliantly to divert the Irish midfielder's shot over the bar.

Paul Quinn and Stevie Hammell both made mistakes after 16 minutes to let Flood in again but he fired wide with just Smith to beat.

Just when it looked as though United were odds-on to break the deadlock, the home side scored.

Against the run of play Porter notched his 14th of the season as McGhee's troops caught the United defence cold.

Stephen Hughes dug out a fantastic cross from the left that was flicked on by Clarkson.

With Darren Dods and Wilkie static, Porter nipped in to nod home from six yards.

United were stunned but after a nervy spell they composed themselves well and set out to grab an equaliser.

Wilkie went close when his looping header crept inches wide of the far post from a Flood corner. But on the stroke of half-time United got the goal they deserved.

Morgaro Gomis' deep cross from the left was knocked across goal by Noel Hunt, giving Craigan an uncomfortable header to deal with.

His uncertainty cost him dear as he flicked the ball past Smith into his own net.

Well were quickest out the traps after the break and got their noses in front in 51 minutes.

Ross McCormack's whipped free-kick was almost impossible to defend and Porter's bullet header from close range made it 2-1.

However, United snatched a point with four minutes left. Danny Grainger's long throw was flicked on by Dods and Wilkie steered a header into the top corner.

Well were devastated but could have snatched the points at the end through Lasley.

Sean Dillon's slip let Clarkson run free and he put the midfielder clean through on goal.

Sadly for McGhee and the Fir Park faithful, Lasley squandered the chance by blasting wide.

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 4

SHOTS OFF 4

OFFSIDE 1

FOULS 17

CORNERS 5

BOOKINGS 2

SHOTS ON 5

SHOTS OFF 4

OFFSIDE 2

FOULS 16

CORNERS 5

BOOKINGS 3

REF WATCH

KENNY CLARK kept firm control and had a good 90 minutes. It was hard to argue with any of the bookings except the one he dished out to Chris Porter for not retreating at free-kick. No major decisions to make but did a good job of handling a match that had so much at stake. Rating: 7/10.