Kilmarnock 0 - 0 Motherwell: New-look Killie encourage Shiels

Motherwell scored three goals, took three points and went top of the league on the opening day of the season. While they couldn't find the net at Rugby Park, the point they picked up has them leading the pack again.

Kilmarnock have been rebuilding big time this summer and their manager Kenny Shiels, by his own admission, doesn't yet know his best team. The team he fielded here stood up to Motherwell and played some good football. They even pressed for a late winner but it didn't come.

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall had predicted an open and entertaining game between two teams that are hoping to do well this season. It was an open game and even without the goals it delivered a good amount of entertainment.

"It was a good game," said Kilmarnock manager Shiels. "A game that had everything and the two goalkeepers deserve credit for their contributions. Today was an example of what the game's about. It was far from being a drab encounter.

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"We're at the early stages of reconstruction, while Motherwell are an example of a team with cohesion and continuity. I'm more than pleased with the direction we're moving in. We've got the flair and the invention. There are goals in this team. Once we gel, I see goals coming."

The Dutchman Danny Buijs made his first competitive start for Kilmarnock, who took the game to Motherwell in the early stages before the visitors bedded into the match and forced a series of corners. They failed to do much with them, though from one, Shaun Hutchinson nodded just over the Kilmarnock crossbar.

From a tight angle, the home side's Liam Kelly forced Darren Randolph into a decent save with an ambitious shot. Then James Dayton's low drive was blocked by the Motherwell keeper. At the other end, Robert McHugh's stinging shot was pushed over the bar by Cameron Bell.

Bell turned a superb net-bound drive by Steven Jennings round the post at the start of the second-half to keep the game goalless. And as the match wore on, the home side made a double substitution, David Silva replacing Gary Harkins, and Paul Heffernan coming on for Ben Hutchinson to make his bow for Kilmarnock. Nicky Law bore down on the Kilmarnock goal but Zdenek Kroca intercepted at the last moment to deny Law his shot from close range. Then Liam Kelly left the field, allowing Dean Shiels to make his debut for his father's team.

As the game edged towards a finish, Silva found some space in the Motherwell penalty box but shot straight at Randolph. Shiels had a late run at the Motherwell defence but the ball was nicked from him.Another dangerous Dayton cross was tipped over the bar by Randolph.

"Kilmarnock have a lot of quality," said Dean Shiels after his first appearance since arriving at the club on loan from Doncaster. "I'm here just to add to what they've got already and hopefully chip in with a few goals."

Motherwell manager McCall was content with the outcome of the game. "They started better but we got the ball down and started moving. We had opportunities but we just didn't have that final finish. Bell pulled off a couple of great saves.

"Overall, a clean sheet and a point away from home, we've got to be pleased with it. For a 0-0 I thought it was a decent game."

KILMARNOCK

Bell

Buijs

O'Leary

Kroca

McKeown

Kelly (74)

Pascali

Fowler

Harkins (59)

Dayton

Hutchinson (60)

Subs used

Silva (59)

Heffernan (60)

Shiels (74)

MOTHERWELL

Randolph

Hateley

Hutchinson

Craigan

Hammell

Humphrey

Lasley

Law

Jennings

Murphy

McHugh

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cameron Bell (Kilmarnock)

Pulled off a couple of crucial saves and had a big say in it remaining goalless.

TALKING POINT

Manager's son Dean Shiels came off the bench for his Kilmarnock debut.

Referee: G Salmond. Attendance: 4,867