Motherwell 3 – 2 Dundee U

Dundee United’s relegation from the cinch Premiership was confirmed after they
fell to a 3-2 defeat at Motherwell

The Terrors required a victory and an eight-goal swing in goal difference to avoid the drop but they were unable to produce a great escape at Fir Park.

Kevin van Veen took his incredible scoring run to 11 consecutive matches by breaking the deadlock after five minutes – setting a new Scottish Premiership record in the process.

United responded through Jamie McGrath’s penalty and Steven Fletcher coolly fired Jim Goodwin’s side ahead early in the second half, but Motherwell would come surging back.

Blair Spittal levelled after 69 minutes before Max Johnston grabbed a winner shortly after having a goal ruled out for offside.

Spittal saw a shot gathered at the second time of asking as the home side threatened in the first minute.

But the opening goal arrived for the visitors after five minutes when Sean Goss dispossessed Glenn Middleton and slid a neat through ball to Van Veen, who coolly rounded the goalkeeper before slamming the ball into the net.

United were in desperate need of a response, and a good stop by Liam Kelly prevented Middleton drawing them level in the 10th minute. Fletcher was then denied an equaliser by an excellent goal-line clearance from Paul McGinn.

Van Veen almost doubled his tally after he connected with Stephen O’Donnell’s cross, only for his header to clip the crossbar and drift over the top.

Referee Steven MacLean then awarded the visitors a penalty following a VAR check on the half-hour which showed Bevis Mugabi to have handled inside the area.

McGrath stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and he powerfully dispatched the ball beyond the reach of Kelly to restore parity for Goodwin’s men.

Mikael Mandron passed up a glorious chance to head Motherwell back in front when he failed to hit the target following good work from Van Veen.

Fletcher’s close-range header struck the outside of a post just before half-time, although the striker would complete the turnaround three minutes into the second half – giving their travelling supporters a glimmer of hope that they could orchestrate a miracle turnaround.

Peter Pawlett did well to link with McGrath before surging forward, and he teed up Fletcher for the simplest of finishes past Kelly.

A superb save by Jack Newman prevented Mugabi’s point-blank header from finding the net and there was a further chance for Mandron before James Furlong’s low drive somehow stayed out after striking a post and flashing across the goal-line.

The equaliser eventually arrived for Motherwell with 21 minutes remaining on the clock, Spittal drilling the ball beyond the despairing Newman from the edge of the box.

Johnston saw a goal ruled out for offside as the home side continued to press and Goss really should have taken on a shot himself rather than squaring the ball to Van Veen, who was hampered by a tight angle.

Johnston was not to denied second time around when he found the net again with eight minutes left, turning home Furlong’s cross to put beyond any doubt that the Tannadice side would be relegated.

Motherwell manager Stuart Ketllewell: « I think it is evident that we are a pretty decent side. I have to pay testament to the run that Kevin has been on, it’s pretty breathtaking when you look at it.

« I know he’ll be disappointed not to get to that 30 mark, but if you are scoring 29 goals in this league you are doing something right.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: « I think the game pretty much summed up the season to be honest. It culminates what has been a disastrous season defensively from start to finish and that’s something that I now need to look at going forward to make sure we bring the right types of defenders in.

« Defenders who enjoy the art of defending, enjoy putting their bodies on the line, take pride in keeping clean sheets and that’s where my first port of call will be in terms of the recruitment side of things.

« Dundee United in the Premier League is an attractive proposition for any player, Dundee United in the Championship, maybe not so much for some of the high-calibre players that you would like to bring to the club.

« We’ve got decisions to make, but what I need to make sure is the type of players that are coming in during the summer have the right characteristics, right mindset and can handle the level of expectation at such a big club. »