Hibernian 3 Motherwell 3

Last updated : 24 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Hibs snapped their four-game losing sequence but were denied a victory by a plucky Motherwell side.

The Edinburgh side led 2-0 at half-time but Motherwell clawed back to level and, after Derek Riordan put Hibs back in front, a shot from Scott McDonald came off Mathias Doumbe for the equaliser.

Hibs made the best possible start as they took the lead after six minutes after slack play by the Well defence.

Derek Adams sliced his clearance and Alan Reid headed the ball on for Kevin Nicol to beat Gordon Marshall with another header from close in for his first goal for the club.

Hibs' width caused Motherwell problems and another excellent cross from Reid picked out Tom McManus after 19 minutes, but he failed to get hold of his shot.

Motherwell did not look convincing in defence as Hibs swarmed forward in numbers in search of a second goal.

Alex Burns had Motherwell's first effort on target after half-an-hour, but Daniel Andersson comfortably dealt with his free-kick to push the ball to safety.

Eight minutes from half-time, Hibs moved 2-0 up when a McManus cross picked out the unmarked Reid and he nodded the ball home.

Reid had another free header moments later from a McManus corner but his effort was wayward.

Andersson came to Hibs' rescue after Adams played Keith Lasley clear but the goalkeeper was out swiftly to clear his lines.

Lasley pulled a goal back just 20 seconds into the second half with a shot that took a deflection before beating Andersson.

Before Hibs had time to recover, Adams equalised from the penalty spot after McDonald was fouled in the area by Colin Murdock.

But, a minute later, Hibs had a penalty when Nicol was fouled by William Kinniburgh and Riordan swept the ball into the top corner of the net.

Scott Brown came close with a fiercely-struck shot which dipped just over the crossbar.

But Motherwell snatched a point with ten minutes left when McDonald's shot took a deflection off Doumbe hit the crossbar and went in off Andersson's back.