Motherwell 1 - 1 Kilmarnock: Willy Aubameyang goal secures fifth place for Kilmarnock

Published on Wednesday 11 May 2011 20:52

Willy Aubameyang's equaliser against Motherwell at Fir Park made sure Kilmarnock finished fifth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Steve Jones put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute when his 20-yard strike caught out Cammy Bell at his near post, but Aubameyang netted from close range three minutes after the break.

Kilmarnock were sharp in possession without cutting their hosts open too often but did enough to maintain their four-point lead over Motherwell.

Derby manager Nigel Clough, who has been linked with a move for Kilmarnock captain Craig Bryson, was at Fir Park as Kenny Shiels sought his first win as Kilmarnock interim manager at the seventh attempt.

Motherwell took just eight minutes to go in front. Jones cut in from the left and hit a powerful right-footed shot which wrong-footed Bell and bounced inside the near post. Tim Clancy had tried to block the shot and may have got a deflection as Bell dived the wrong way.

Motherwell's other winger, Chris Humphrey, threatened with a ball across the face of goal before Kilmarnock came into the game.

Aubameyang, who was booked for a reckless challenge on Steven Saunders, saw a header cleared off the line by Stevie Hammell following James Dayton's corner. Alexei Eremenko, playing his last game for Kilmarnock as he is suspended for Sunday's visit of Rangers, then saw a shot from a tight angle saved by Darren Randolph.

Killie took only three minutes of the second period to equalise. Eremenko cut the hosts open with a pass inside Saunders and Dayton cut the ball across the six-yard box for Aubameyang to slide home. The visiting fans hailed the goal with chants of "Kenny must stay" as their team dominated possession.

Motherwell: Randolph, Saunders, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Humphrey, Jennings, Hateley, Lasley, Sutton, Jones. Subs: Hollis, Forbes, Gunning, Casagolda, Jeffers, Smith, Carswell.

Kilmarnock: Bell, Fowler, Clancy, Pascali, Hay, Dayton, Silva, Kelly, Bryson, Aubameyang, Eremenko. Subs: Letheren, Taouil, Berntsson, Agard, Pursehouse, Gros, Fisher.