Fraser will take much of the blame for Motherwell's defeat

Motherwell manager Craig Brown bemoaned the absence of goalkeeper John Ruddy but thought his side did not deserve their 3-2 defeat by Dundee United.

Keeper Michael Fraser gifted the first goal to United at Fir Park.

"I think people would concede that we played well and I have got to be honest and say that we are missing the goalkeeper, John Ruddy," said Brown.

"He has been hurt for the last couple of games and it's made a big difference because he is a commanding figure."

Replacement Fraser stumbled before his clearance ricocheted off Jon Daly to give United an early lead and the goalkeeper's poor clearance led to the corner from which Daly made the score 2-1.

United's third followed a loose pass forward and then a poor tackle by Chris Humphrey.

The lads are quite aggrieved that Sutton was taken out of the play by the goalkeeper Motherwell manager Craig Brown

"I think we were victims of our own carelessness and we can't complain," said Brown.

"We made the mistakes that gifted the goals to United. I don't think any one of them was not capable of being prevented.

"You saw the first two - I don't think I have seen two more bizarre goals.

"So you give yourself a mountain to climb against arguably the best team in the country at the moment.

"We fought back bravely and I thought we might have had more out of it at the end."

Brown thought that Motherwell should have had a penalty before John Sutton did manage to score his second goal of the game.

"I have seen it and I hate to criticise the referee, but I would ask Mr Murray to look at the 72nd minute on the tape - I have been fortunate enough to; he does not get that privilege," said the Motherwell boss.

"It is unfortunate, it's not his fault, when he was here before, he was the referee when we played Rangers and we were unfortunate in that game with an offside one.

"The lads are quite aggrieved that Sutton was taken out of the play by the goalkeeper."

Motherwell's fourth straight defeat meant they missed the chance to leapfrog into fourth spot ahead of Hibernian.

"We have not had a break or two," said Brown. "Against Celtic in midweek, I think people would concede that we played well.

"I am not concerned about the performances. I am concerned about the results, but the results don't tell the truth. We have been playing well.

"Neutral people would consider that we were at least as good if not better than Dundee United today."

Brown singled out right-back Steven Saunders for praise.

"I thought the young lad Saunders, who came on for his first full game since Archie and I came here, was outstanding," he said.

"So that's great encouragement when you find a young boy who's got a magnificent future in my opinion and playing in such an assured manner."

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