All Aberdeen needed to secure second place and a good crack at the Europe League was a draw, but this was snatched from them in the dying seconds of the game, reports Andrew Watson.
It was a wet affair, and some players losing their footing on the pitch was testament to that.
Motherwell fans were rowdy throughout, and let fly silver streamers onto the pitch at kickoff.
The Reds had a large chunk of the possession and the most chances on goal, but never quite had the precision to finish the job.
Things really only changed when the Steelmen brought on James McFadden after 76 minutes.
That said, Peter Pawlett had a clear cut chance chalked off for offside. However, seconds from the death, Motherwell whipped in a free kick that eluded Jamie Langfield.
Upon closer inspection, it looked as if he were barged off the ball. Russell Anderson made a vital clearance off the line, but this came to no avail on account of the rebound.
The ball then somehow crossed the line. Dejection.
0-1 (Craig Reid).
They feasibly had one last chance at attack to level the game, but time, and what little of it, was of the essence. As the ball approached the final third, the game was over.
Aberdeen still has a Europa League place, but it’s been a somewhat frustrating end to the season, especially since they missed out on that Scottish Cup Final spot.
Having beat champions Celtic on the way there, it was considered a formality that they’d at least make an appearance on May 17.
Saying that, although missing out on second place is gutting, it’s a fair few years since they last finished in the top three; let alone the top six!
Final score: 0-1.
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