Ian Baraclough emphasises positives at Motherwell

New Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough takes his place in the stand before the match. Picture: SNS

Motherwell 2-2 Ross County

Scorers: Motherwell - Sutton (53) Ojamaa (59); Ross County - Dingwall (44, 90)

Baraclough watched from the stand as Motherwell drew 2-2 with Ross County at Fir Park hours after his appointment.

Ojamaa looked to have welcomed the former Scunthorpe and Sligo Rovers manager with three points after firing home in the 59th minute, six minutes after John Sutton had headed a leveller for the home side.

But Tony Dingwall fired home his second goal of the game three minutes into injury-time as County were finally rewarded for sustained pressure.

However, Baraclough told his players he was encouraged by elements of their display as he bids to move his side away from relegation, as he addressed the squad for the first time immediately after the match.

Ojamaa said: “He was positive, which was good. He said he saw enough positives out there to show that we will be fine and will start climbing the table.

“Obviously, we have to look at what we have done wrong but he sees a good opportunity to work with us and get good results.

“It’s a new chapter and we can start working towards climbing the table. We have a lot of games and it’s straight in there.

“I hope he can help us get results and personally help develop me as a player. It’s good that the transitional period is behind us and we can start using our energy to work with the new manager and show that on the pitch.”

The injury-time goal was cruel on caretaker manager Kenny Black, who has taken charge during a period of major uncertainty on and off the park and whose personal future is now unclear despite the club asking him to stay on as assistant.

Ojamaa said: “It would have been nice to win the game for Kenny. He has done a really great job for us. It’s not been an easy time to be in charge.

“He been a big part of this club for a number of years. It’s been a pleasure working with Kenny and I hope he stays.”

County could have had the game wrapped up in the early stages of the first half but Paul Quinn missed an open goal in the best of a series of chances for the visitors.

But they continued to create after Motherwell’s burst of goals and Michael Gardyne hit the post not long before Dingwall’s second.

Manager Jim McIntyre said: “The one thing we did was make sure that the players know we believe in them and to go and play.

“That is going to take a while, with the confidence levels, but it is important that they know that we know that they are good enough.

“Our quality at times has let us down in front of goal, or our decision making, but that is what they are doing well, they are keeping getting into positions. I would be more worried if we weren’t creating.”