Full TimeSecond Half ends, Motherwell 2, Kilmarnock 0.Post updateAttempt missed. Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Chris Burke with a cross following a corner.Post updateCorner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Declan Gallagher.Post updateAttempt saved. Chris Burke (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Stuart Findlay.Post updateAttempt missed. Chris Burke (Kilmarnock) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Stuart Findlay.Post updateFoul by Stephen O’Donnell (Motherwell).Post updateChris Burke (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Post updateAttempt blocked. Danny Johnson (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stephen O’Donnell.Post updateFoul by Alan Power (Kilmarnock).Post updateStephen O’Donnell (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Motherwell secured a deserved Scottish Premiership victory which all but preserves their 38-year top-flight status, while deepening Kilmarnock’s relegation plight. Derek McInnes’ side travelled to Fir Park after their first away league win of the season last time out, but they failed to repeat their assured display as slack defending allowed Blair Spittal to bury an early opener. The visitors responded by hitting Liam Kelly’s woodwork with a Danny Armstrong free-kick, but McInnes’ men were fortunate not to be two down at the break when a narrow offside call ruled out Kevin van Veen’s finish. However, the Dutchman got the goal his performance merited in second-half injury time as a sublime solo effort sealed three points for Stuart Kettlewell’s side, who are now nine points clear of the relegation play-off spot. Bottom-club Ross County’s win at home to Livingston means 11th-placed Kilmarnock, who registered just one shot on target at Fir Park, are now just a point off the foot of the table with four games remaining.
Motherwell dominated the match and opened the scoring early on through Blair Spittal’s goal. Kilmarnock responded by hitting Liam Kelly’s woodwork with a Danny Armstrong free-kick, but were denied a goal when a narrow offside call ruled out Kevin van Veen’s finish. However, van Veen eventually got his goal late in injury time with a sublime solo effort to seal three points for Motherwell and all but secure their 38-year top-flight status. Kilmarnock’s relegation plight was deepened as they are now just a point off the foot of the table with four games remaining, while Motherwell are nine points clear of the relegation play-off spot.