SNS GroupStuart Kettlewell branded Motherwell’s failure to defeat Montrose in the Premier Sports Cup as unacceptable.
The Premiership side had looked on course for victory after a powerful first-half header from Shane Blaney gave them the lead, but they were pegged back by their League One hosts when Ali Shrive scored to make it 1-1 in the 87th minute.
The Steelmen went on to claim a bonus point by winning the penalty shoot-out 5-4 but that did little to improve the post-match outlook of manager Kettlewell.
He told Well TV: “Without being arrogant, the end result is not acceptable. I believe as a Premiership side we have to come and win games against part-time teams.
“Guys in the part-time environment have come from their work today having played on Saturday, and I think our energy levels and quality have to shine through.
“The game was very comfortable to a point, we were in complete control, but one of the biggest facets of a game of football is making sure you’re ruthless in the final third. We needed to be tidier.
“We then started to become really slack and it gave Montrose motivation and momentum in the game.”
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