Motherwell held at home by Partick
Motherwell's defensive fringe players fared better than their attacking colleagues in their quest to work their way into Ian Baraclough's play-off plans after the relegation-threatened Steelmen played out a goalless draw with Partick Thistle.
Manager Baraclough made nine changes as he rested most of his experienced players ahead of Thursday's first leg, which they discovered shortly before kick-off would be at Ibrox after Rangers secured a 2-1 aggregate win over Hibernian.
Baraclough's team was a mixture of young players who were given an opportunity to shine, possible starters on Thursday who were given the chance to stake their claim, and some who are unlikely to feature.
The final game of Motherwell's regular Scottish Premiership season was a predictably low-key affair with home striker John Sutton and Thistle midfielder Gary Fraser the only players to seriously threaten a goal.
Baraclough is unlikely to deviate much from his usual formula on Thursday but some of his defensive players did themselves no harm.
Goalkeeper Dan Twardzik, who was dropped for unconvincing loan signing George Long four months ago, made good stops in each half from powerful long-range strikes from Fraser before doing well to hold another shot from the midfielder in the latter stages.
Teenager Luke Watt gave an assured display at right-back before moving inside while both Simon Ramsden and Louis Laing, who returned from a groin injury, looked comfortable in centre-back appearances of close to an hour.
Winger Lionel Ainsworth, who is certain to be involved against Rangers, showed some decent flashes of skill before being taken off at half-time while Dom Thomas was not involved a great deal on the left flank.
Conor Grant was given a run in central midfield in the first half and made some good passes without dominating.
Up front, Sutton produced the home side's only decent efforts on target. He curled a low free-kick round the Thistle wall, but Scott Fox got across well to push the ball away, and then headed straight at the Jags goalkeeper late on.
Fellow striker Craig Moore twice got in behind the visiting defence but right-back Stephen O'Donnell covered well to make a first-half sliding tackle, and did just enough to put off the striker in the second half as Moore fired two yards wide from the edge of the box.
The pair linked up with nine minutes to go when Moore got to a long ball ahead of Fox but his cutback was slightly behind Sutton and Motherwell's top goalscorer turned and fired wide from 15 yards with only a defender to beat.
Thistle also gave some fringe players a chance, including young centre-back Jack Hendry and midfielder David Wilson, while Ben Richards-Everton was afforded a farewell start two days after being told he was being freed.
And the visiting fans were also given the chance to acclaim popular midfielder James Craigen, who was a late substitute after being told this week his Firhill contract would not be renewed.
Source: PA
