Callum Slattery’s brace earns Motherwell a share of the spoils against St Mirren

Callum Slattery scored twice to earn Motherwell a share of the spoils in a fiercely-fought contest with St Mirren at Fir Park.

The visitors surged into a commanding lead after first-half goals from Caolan Boyd-Munce and Killian Phillips.

Slattery provided an immediate response to drag the Steelmen back into contention and it was the Englishman who came up with the equaliser 19 minutes from the end.

Toyosi Olusanya saw red after picking up two second-half bookings to give the home side hope of completing a dramatic comeback.

A serious-looking injury sustained by Boyd-Munce meant there were 14 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game, though neither side could find a winner.

Motherwell have dropped out of the top six, while Saints are up to seventh, four points outside the top half of the table.

The hosts spurned a huge opportunity to break the deadlock with just 70 seconds on the clock.

Confusion in the St Mirren defence allowed Tom Sparrow to burst through on goal, but his chip sailed over the crossbar.

Saints responded positively. Jonah Ayunga’s perfectly-weighted through ball found Ryan Alebiosu who angled a powerful effort wide of the target.

In the 32nd minute, Stephen O’Donnell made a crucial goal-line clearance after a scramble from Declan John’s corner.

However, the Well skipper would play a big part as the visitors made the breakthrough a minute later.

Positive running from Olusanya saw him tee-up Boyd-Munce to unleash a shot that found the net after deflecting off the head of O’Donnell on the way.

The Buddies doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when Andy Halliday could only head his clearance as far as Phillips, who brilliantly beat the goalkeeper with an acrobatic finish.

Fir Park was stunned, but the home side found an immediate response – reducing the arrears with 35 minutes on the clock.

Ellery Balcombe launched the ball downfield into the path of Slattery and the midfielder showed brilliant footwork to side-step Alex Iacovitti before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner with the outside of his right foot.

Motherwell almost levelled in added time at the end of the first half after Lennon Miller lashed inches past a post after good work from Dom Thompson.

Boss Michael Wimmer made a double substitution in the 58th minute, replacing Luke Plange and Kai Andrew with Tony Watt and Harry Paton.

There were concerning scenes just after the hour as Boyd-Munce left the field on a stretcher following a nasty-looking collision.

The Steelmen grabbed a leveller with 19 minutes left. Miller’s pinpoint cross was laid into the path of Slattery and he swept home first time beyond Zach Hemming.

A second booking for Olusanya meant the away side were reduced to 10 men for the final stages.

Given the number of stoppages throughout the second half, it was little surprise when the fourth official indicated there would be 14 minutes of added time.

There was little threat on the away goal, however, with the best chance falling for the Buddies, but Alex Gogic headed inches over.