Football: XMAS COMES EARLY FOR HIBS

HIBS, the great sufferers from late goals last season, turned the tables dramatically here in added time.

With the game petering out for a goalless draw, Derek Riordan angled a ferocious shot from just outside the box into the net to win the match.

It is what they deserved for the way they applied themselves in the second half.

Strong wind, driving rain and a sodden pitch made us all yearn for the warmth of the Yule log.

Sadly, apart from one or two moments like the dramatic climax, the play didn't help either.

Motherwell were disappointing in appalling conditions. They looked less enterprising than they have in recent weeks and lost mid-field superiority in the second half.

Until that goal came, nobody looked like scoring although both sides hit the post.

The first chance came in the 14th minute when Riordan flicked a Glass free kick against the woodwork.

Motherwell retaliated in the 17th, when Lasley rammed in a 25- yard shot, tipped over the bar by Andersson.

Two minutes into the second half, a corner on the right went through Murdock's legs virtually on the goal-line, and a chance was lost for Hibs.

Eight minutes later a superb Hammell shot from 25 yards was parried by Andersson in goal.

Hibs were taking control, though, especially down the right-hand side where Whittaker and O'Conner looked impressive. Motherwell were beginning to fade.

With 20 minutes to go, O'Conner broke from the wing and, instead of passing inside, shot straight at the keeper.

Ten minutes after that, there were loud claims for a penalty by the Motherwell players when Corrigan shot at goal and Smith, lying on the ground, seemed to handle the ball, but the referee judged it not to be deliberate.

Whittaker then enjoyed a superb run, beating three players on the right, but delayed his shot too much, and the ball was swept away for a corner.

A minute later, O'Conner, advancing goalwards, could only ram the ball against the keeper's body.

Nothing was happening at the other end for Motherwell.

And deservedly, the winner came. Brebner's corner swept into a cluster of players. Doumbe poked the ball into the tracks of Riordan, who smashed a low shot into the net. There was no time left for Motherwell to retrieve the situation.

The decisive goal had finally brought festive cheer at long last to the beleaguered Bobby Williamson.

MAN OF THE MATCH DEREK RIORDAN

His late winner gave his side a deserved win.

MOTHERWELL: Marshall 6, Corrigan 6, Hammell 5, Lasley 6 (Quinn 5), Craigan 7, Pearson 6, Adams 6, Leitch 7, Dair 5, Burns 5, Clarkson 7.

HIBERNIAN: Andersson 7, Smith 6, Murdock 5, Brebner 6, O'Connor 7, RIORDAN 8, Glass 6, Doumbe 7, Whittaker 6, Brown 7, Thomson 7.

MANAGER RATINGS: Butcher 6, Williamson 7.

REFEREE: C Thomson 7.

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