Motherwell’s inability to score from set pieces proved costly as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Ainslie Park against Hibernian. The Steelmen assaulted Hibernian from set pieces as they had 10 corners during the match but Hibs’ defence held strong and put in a commendable shift as they ran out winners under the floodlights.

 

A goal from Oli Shaw alongside a wonder-goal from Callum Crane saw Hibernian come out on top of the end to end fixture. Motherwell managed to capitalise on one of their corners through Luke Watt but Hibernian held on for the win.

 

It was the team in claret and amber who started the brighter. They settled quickly and had the first chance of the game after four minutes through Domanic Thomas. His one-two with Dylan Mackin resulted in a fierce shot from 18 yards which the ‘keeper parried away.

 

After two Motherwell corners came to nothing, Hibernian had their first shot on goal with a speculative 25 yard effort from Sam Stanton forcing the ‘keeper into a low save to his left.

 

Hibs worked their way into the game and Henri Anier smashed a shot off the crossbar from 16 yards on the turn after a free-kick was fired in to the box from the half-way line.

 

The midfield battle showed as both teams were equally matched and it was not until the 45th minute that the goalmouth was really threatened again. Jack McMillan did well to back-heel the ball to Christopher Cadden from the byline and the latter fired in a low cross that none of the Motherwell players could tap in as a goalmouth scramble ensued.

The second half started as the first did and the away side had the first chance through Jack Leitch who fired over the bar from 18 yards after a through ball from Clarkson.

 

Hibernian hit back with 55 minutes played as Jordan Sinclair’s 25 yard volley was saved low to the opposition ‘keepers left.

 

Motherwell had already had four corners and after failing to convert from another three in a row, Hibernian made them rue their missed chances as Shaw opened the scoring after 64 minutes. Ben Stirling floated a lovely diagonal ball to Shaw which split the centre-halves and the young prospect fired home on the volley from 10 yards.

 

The away side finally managed to convert their eighth set piece and get straight back into the game minutes later as Watt fired home on the half volley after picking up the ball 15 yards from the goal and levelling the scores.

 

The Steelmen were hit on the counter with 15 minutes left to play. Shaw flicked the ball on excellently to Anier and the latter opted to shoot at the near post rather than lay the ball off for the unmarked Conner Duthie and the ‘keeper saved low.

 

Hibernian turned up the heat and finally broke through thanks to a wonder-strike from Callum Crane. The ball bounced up following an aerial duel and from all of 35 yards the midfielder expertly curled a half volley into the top left corner off the post, leaving Motherwell ‘keeper Peter Morrison standing.

 

Hibs did not let up and Shaw was through on goal after playing a one-two with Duthie. His resulting shot however was straight at the ‘keeper as he missed the chance to wrap the game up for good.

 

The trailing side had one more chance through Christopher Cadden as he drove the ball from the halfway line down the wing. His pace was too much at the late stage of the game for the Hibs defence but his shot from the byline was saved at the near post.

 

Motherwell had a chance to draw through their tenth corner but failed to convert as the referee blew for full time.

 

The result gives Hibernian some breathing room from the bottom two places of the league and are now only three points behind Motherwell. In their next fixtures, Hibernian face a trip to 13th placed Dundee United and Motherwell host 9th placed Partick Thistle.