Motherwell A - A Hibernian: Floodlight failure cuts Fenlon’s debut short

Conditions were far from ideal with heavy rain and swirling wind greeting the extra fans who had been attracted by the unorthodox scheduling or, more likely, reduced admission fees.

Hibs edged ahead in the 16th minute when Garry O’Connor produced a clinical first-time finish, giving new manager Pat Fenlon a perfect start.

Ivan Sproule played the ball into Leigh Griffiths, who managed to turn Stevie Hammell on the penalty spot and get a shot in.

The ball hit the post but O’Connor was on hand to thump the ball into the roof of the net from 16 yards.

Hammell escaped punishment when he raised his arm in the area as Griffiths attempted an acrobatic effort, the ball appearing to hit the left-back below the elbow, with referee Willie Collum waving play on.

Motherwell were struggling to adapt to playing into the strong wind, although they were being closed down very quickly by their opponents.

But they began putting Hibs under more pressure around the half-hour mark, with Tom Hateley twice trying his luck from distance with the second effort forcing a reasonably comfortable save from Graham Stack.

Stack was handed a more severe test in the 34th minute when Nicky Law fired a low strike from 25 yards that the goalkeeper pushed wide for a corner.

The hosts continued to press and Hammell’s corner found Michael Higdon but his header was booted clear from the goalmouth.

There was as much action off the park with numerous firefighters, police and stewards assembling behind the South Stand amid reports of a minor fire out of sight, but the situation was apparently brought under control just before the half-time whistle.

However, following a 10-minute delay in the players coming out for the second half, one of the floodlights in the South Stand went out.

Moments later, it was announced over the public address system that the match had been abandoned because of “circumstances outwith our control”.