Ross County battle back to draw with Motherwell

Jordy Hiwula (18) made an instant impact off the bench

Bottom side Ross County battled back to draw with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership - and keep the gap between the sides at three points.

But Jordy Hiwula levelled seconds after coming on as a substitute.

Both sides claimed unsuccessfully for penalties with County's Owura Edwards going down in the first half and Matt Penney going to ground in the second.

Steven Hammell's Motherwell are ninth, with County three points below both the Steelmen, Dundee United and Kilmarnock but having played a game more.

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Having scored Motherwell's late consolation against Hibernian last week, McKinstry was lively in the first half. His first shot from the left clipped the outside of the far post, his second drew a save and a header later on went over.

Against a backdrop of controversial decisions in recent weeks, the officials had a decision to make when Edwards went down in the box.

The winger chased a loose ball and nicked it through the legs of Well keeper Liam Kelly before the pair collided. Referee David Dickinson signalled for a goal kick and, after a VAR check, that decision was upheld. There did appear to be contact between the two players' flailing legs.

County's only other moment of note in the opening period was when Edwards crossed from the right and neither Ross Callachan nor Jordan White could capitalise.

Max Johnston, who has returned to Motherwell following a loan spell at Cove Rangers, almost put the Steelmen in front with a fierce strike from outside the box, Laidlaw saving well.

The first big chance of the second half fell the way of County with White's header from Dhanda's cross flashing past. Dhanda then threatened himself, cutting in from the same side and bringing out the best in Kelly.

McGinn headed over from a Sean Goss corner as the game continued to open up.

And Motherwell seized their chance when McKinstry nodded down to Kevin van Veen then bent his run to receive the striker's pass and shoot. Laidlaw got a hand to it but could not prevent the goal.

The question was could the home side keep it tight enough to see out the win? The answer was no.

Hiwula had literally just entered the fray as Dhanda's replacement when he latched on to White's knockdown off Callachan's long ball and finished through the legs of Kelly.

It was then Motherwell's turn to look for a spot-kick after Matt Penney charged into the box and claimed he had been pulled back by Edwards. Again, the referee said no.

Player of the match - Stuart McKinstry

McKinstry (left) was the home side's star man and deserved his goal

Familiar failings on both sides

Thought a point apiece is not disastrous for either side, both will wonder about what might have been.

Motherwell again showed the aptitude in front of goal in recent matches but, like those same games, could not find the clean sheet to see out the result.

The timing of their opener put them in a stick or twist situation and choosing to stick allowed Ross County back into the game.

County have struggled to get ahead in games and did everything but score before falling behind. Kelly has to take some credit for that but there were opportunities to give the goalkeeper no chance.

However, what will please the visitors was the character they showed to force the leveller and at least add to their points tally.

What's next?

Both sides turn their attention to Scottish Cup duty next Saturday, with Motherwell away to Arbroath and Ross County visiting Hamilton (both matches at 15:00 GMT).