Hapless Motherwell were eliminated by Championship side Raith Rovers in their Scottish Cup fifth round tie, losing 3-1 to put more pressure on the beleaguered side.
Goals from Jamie Gullan, Sam Stanton and debutant Ismael Goncalves heaped more pressure on 'Well boss Steven Hammell, whose side are locked in a relegation battle and have only a win against Arbroath in this competition to their name since October. The match started in cagey fashion amid the backdrop of two sides in contrasting form locking horns. One was looking to go unbeaten across all competitions in 12 games while the other hadn't won a league match since Hallowe'en, and a fright would appear inside the first half when Callum Slattery was penalised for handball.
Gullan duly dispatched to spark dreams of a big cup win for the Championship hosts and Dylan Easton came so close to doubling their lead moments later, a curled effort just nicking off the post as it went wide. It was far from the start Hammell needed, and then Stanton beat away goalkeeper Liam Kelly as the ball looped in the air, bundling home before half-time, it was all going horribly wrong for the away team backed by fans in their thousands.
Their boos were loud but so too was their applause when Kevin Van Veen pulled one back shortly after the restart. Raith had gone the distance against Dundee midweek to book their place in another SPFL Trust Trophy final and they needed the same grit to get through here.
Their visitors had made three changes at the break and the addition of Stuart McKinstry, Olly Crankshaw and Max Johnston to the fray did liven those in white up. Tom Lang almost gifted them parity when his botched clearance went wayward but fortunately for him, it only came off the crossbar before being scrambled to safety.
After that though, little caution was being thrown to the wind, and Goncalves' debut goal put the cherry on a fantastic cake for Rovers, while Motherwell are left in a deeper rut than they already were. Here are three talking points from the match at Stark's Park.
Uncertainty reigns
These are testing times for Motherwell. It had already been a tough build-up to this one, with a dire year or so in the form table beginning to ask question of their league status.
Then there was the news long-standing CEO Alan Burrows would be on his way north to Aberdeen before the month is out. A heavy-duty player turnover in and out of the doors at Fir Park occurred in January and this team took the look of guys bedding into new ideas alongside those who have had their confidence picked to pieces over weeks and months.
This at least provided a chance of building back some sort of momentum for what are two huge home league games against St Mirren and Hearts, a Fir Park which they have won at just once on Premiership business all season. Not knowing who's leading the club long-term and not knowing which division they will find themselves in, fans are growing in concern.
Stick or twist?
It's a question that will be on the lips of many onlookers into the situation at the Steelmen, and one that fans hoped they'd never have to ask about their beloved hero. Hammell is revered among the Lanarkshire faithful but the disgruntlement from the away support in Fife was clear.
A banner was displayed outside the main entrance at Fir Park last weekend urging passion from the players, but again they failed to deliver a badly-needed result. This might prove breaking point for some and while much of the anger is being vented at the playing squad, some also wondering when this dreadful run will end.
Resilient Raith
Murray's men were well worthy of their half-time lead. They took their chance when it came around early doors with the spot-kick and then they never stopped in pursuit of getting another when the ball looked to be out of their reach.
It was a setback to concede so early in the second half but soon the game calmed down. They did an excellent job of dealing with their visitors' freshness amid their tired legs and ultimately coasted to the finishing line with ease, and with a SPFL Trust Trophy final to look forward to amid their promotion push, this season may end up a memorable one at Stark's Park.
