Elijah JustSNS

Elijah Just's first half finish was ruled out for an earlier offside

At a glance

  • Just's early opener for Motherwell ruled out after VAR review for offside

  • Hosts remain six points in front of Hibernian in race for fourth

Martin Dowden
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

Fourth-placed Motherwell maintained their six-point lead over Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership but failed to put pressure on the top three before the international break after a stalemate at Fir Park.

In-form Elijah Just appeared to have broken the deadlock with a close-range finish midway through the first half, but his strike was ruled out for an earlier offside.

A third consecutive draw for David Gray's team means they failed to significantly rein in Jens Berthel Askou's side for the third game in a row when the opportunity was there.

Motherwell maintained their long unbeaten home run that stretches all the way back to mid-October, having conceded just one goal at Fir Park in that sequence.

Everything pointed to a thrilling encounter. The stakes, the styles and the conditions. Sadly, that notion was misplaced with chances few and far between.

Motherwell probed, unusually, with little impact. Hibernian, in the main, sat solid before threatening as the game developed.

It was as if both sides were getting electric shocks when they entered the final third such was the paucity of direct efforts on goal until late on.

From nowhere , Motherwell looked like they had a vital early opener. Martin Boyle, on his 400th Hibernian outing, lost possession, Oscar Priestman shot and the ball fell perfectly for Just who netted.

His delight was short-lived as Priestman was judged offside after a video assistant referee review.

After the break, Premiership top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise sclaffed in front of goal. At the other end, Jamie McGrath was superbly denied by Elliot Watt's tackle.

Boyle then nearly capped his landmark appearance with a dipping volley that dipped just too late and over the bar as the visitors began to threaten.

Not enough, as they remain six adrift of their hosts with seven games remaining.

Analysis: A missed opportunity for both sides

Motherwell's home record has been extraordinary. No losses since last October.

Clean sheets have played a massive part in their success for a team that is usually so attractive to watch. They have lost one goal at home since they last lost here five months ago. A startling stat that was extended by this outcome.

Pre-match, Askou pointed to the idea that things are getting decided at this stage. He urged his side to avoid the biggest mistake which would be to let the courage and bravery drop at this crucial point.

Whether that was the case or not isn't clear, but they did seem a level below the attacking force they have been so consistently.

They can go into the international break in a fabulous position to capitalise on all their good work this campaign but a win here would have been so valuable.

Hibernian came into this a touch frustrated with two draws following the long-awaited win over Celtic in Glasgow. That was a missed opportunity to close in on their opponents here before kick-off.

The six-point gap between these sides meant this wasn't quite must-win but perhaps must not lose. Another missed opportunity as a late rally didn't pay off.

They just weren't effective as a threat going forward overall.

David Gray used the experience of European football early this season against Midtjylland, Partizan and Legia Warsaw as motivation to his players ahead of this.

He also urged his side to mark Boyle's 400th appearance with a big win.

It seldom looked likely and leaves them in the hunt but with a lot to do to reach the top four.

What's next for these teams?

Hibernian resume after the international break on 4 April with a home Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock (15:00 BST).

On the same day and at the same time, Motherwell will host Falkirk.

Player of the match

S. Welsh
6.62
57 S. Welsh
6.62
21 E. Just
6.62
2 S. O'Donnell
6.43
20 E. Watt
6.23
16 P. McGinn
6.15
7 T. Sparrow
6.07
13 C. Ward
6.07
25 O. Priestman
5.92
8 C. Slattery
5.92
12 L. Fadinger
5.85
18 T. Maswanhise
5.69
90 I. Said
5.33
6 J. McGhee
5.00
15 E. Björgólfs­son
4.75
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