Draw Specialists Do It Again!

              
     Mambo on target after lay off                  Canning grabs last minute equaliser 

Kilmarnock 2 - 2 Motherwell
(SPL Under 21 Match - Rugby Park, 5th March 2003, 7.00pm Kick Off)

A last minute goal from Mark Canning saw Killie come back from a two goal deficit for the second time in two days. A sparse crowd turned out for this rearranged under 21 fixture and there was little for the home fans to cheer in the opening period. Killie did create the first chance in 8 minutes but Canning's 20 yard drive was comfortably held by Woods.

Neither side was creating any clear cut chances until the pacy Offiong started to make some lung bursting runs on the right flank. He took advantage of slack defending to race clear and slot the opener in 21 minutes. Three minutes later and Offiong sprinted into the box again before squaring for Clarke to drill home the second from 12 yards.

Killie huffed and puffed for the rest of the half and almost snatched one back on the stroke of half time. The hard working Jaconelli tried to intercept a short pass back but Woods clearance cannoned off the striker's foot and flew wide.

Lehmann tried his luck in the opening seconds of the second period but his 20 yard shot was well saved by Stewart. Canning then tried his luck from 25 yards but his well struck shot was blocked by Kinniburgh's lunge. Killie were starting to dominate possession and in 56 minutes they pulled a goal back. Di Giacomo's direct run into the box saw his cross fall at Higgin's feet. The defender's attempt at a clearance was blocked by Jaconelli and the ball flew low into the net.

Killie sensed that, just as at Firhill on Monday, they could grab a 2-2 draw after falling two behind. McGuinness made a probing run into the box and played a neat 1-2 however the final shot was straight at Woods. Killie continued to press but were not getting that little break in front of goal and the visitors looked lively on a couple of quick breakaways.

With the referee looking at his watch Killie snatched a last gasp equaliser. Canning ran at the heart of the Well defence and got a nice break of the ball before drilling into the bottom corner of the net from inside the box. A draw was probably fair though Killie may feel they did enough in the second period to take all three points. Killie were best served by Canning, Dillon and Jaconelli whilst Offiong was easily the best man in claret and amber.

Kilmarnock: Stewart, Gilroy (Sangster 45), Dillon, McGregor, Locke (Gold 73), 
McGuinness, McGlinchey, Canning, Jaconelli, Di Giacomo, Murray (Naismith 78)
Subs (not used): Samson, Boyle.

Motherwell: Woods, Cowan, Higins, Black, Quinn, Kinniburgh, Offiong (Wright 
83), McDonald, Lehmann, Kemas, Clarke.
Subs (not used): Ewings, Dempsie, Grant, Barkey.

Match report courtesy of The Killie Hippo