Stephen Pearson hit a last-minute goal at Fir Park to earn
Motherwell their first points of the season against ten-man Kilmarnock.
Scotland international James McFadden, making his first start for
Well this season, fired the home side in front from the penalty spot
after James Fowler had been dismissed for Killie.
A header from defender Freddie Dindeleux pulled the Ayrshire side
back into the game with 15 minutes remaining.
But Motherwell were rewarded for their spirited final flourish when
Pearson was on hand to head the ball home from close range as injury
time approached.
In only the second minute, a quick break from the home side sent
Stephen Pearson surging into the box and his wayward shot nearly found
its way to Alex Burns but Freddie Dindeleux cleared the danger in front
of goal.
With 19 minutes played, a Steven Hammell free-kick found teenager
Paul Quinn unmarked in space but, from six yards, the youngster headed
high over.
Three minutes later Motherwell came even closer to scoring, when
Pearson swept his cross beyond the Kilmarnock defence to pick out the
in-rushing Keith Lasley, but the midfielder mis-hit his shot and the
ball rebounded high on to the crossbar.
At the other end, Stevie Fulton's free-kick was nodded back across
goal by Barry McLaughlin but for Killie keeper Gordon Marshall bravely
dived into a ruck of players to smother the danger.
After 31 minutes, a neat interchange between Burns and Lasley left
the striker to fire a left-foot shot just over the bar.
The visitors seldom threatened but a Hardie pass was glanced on by
Kris Boyd and almost caught Marshall off-guard but it was too weak to
cross the line.
A minute before half-time, Kilmarnock's cause was made more difficult
when Hardie limped off to be replaced by Alan Mahood.
Killie opened the second period with another substitution as Colin
Nish replaced Paul Di Giacomo.
But it was still Motherwell who pushed forward and a cross by Pearson
found Derek Adams but his weak header was easily collected by Colin
Meldrum.
A minute later, a great through ball by Quinn found Adams racing
through but his low drive was easily held by Meldrum at the foot of the
post. 
Motherwell made the breakthrough in the 66th minute when Killie
defender Fowler was shown a red card following a handball offence and
McFadden slotted home the resulting penalty kick.
However, ten minutes later 10-man Kilmarnock hit back when Freddie
Dindeleux rose at the back post to head home a
Stevie Fulton corner
(above).
The lively Pearson saw his low angled drive flash inches wide of the
post as Motherwell pressed forward in the closing stages and Meldrum
made a good block from McFadden.
The home side's pressure finally paid off in the 90th minute when
Pearson popped up to head home a corner from Adams.
Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Fowler, Dindeleux, McLaughlin, Hay, Di
Giacomo, Fulton, McDonald, Hardie, Boyd, McSwegan. Subs: Mahood, Hessey,
Murray, Nish, Dubourdeau.
Attendance: 5,087
