Motherwell 0 Aberdeen 1 (Mulgrew 86)The Dons recorded their first win of the campaign with a battling display at Fir Park this afternoon

. A solid performance from Scott Severin and Andrew Considine in the heart of the Dons defence kept the home side at bay and a stunning free kick from Charlie Mulgrew gave the visitors all 3 points.

Dons’s boss Jimmy Calderwood made 3 changes from the team which went down to Inverness last Saturday. Zander Diamond and Darren Mackie came in for Jeffrey de Visscher and Chris Maguire, while Derek Young replaced Jamie Smith, who fell ill last night at the team hotel.

The Dons lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Diamond, playing in an unfamiliar right back role, Severin, Considine and Mulgrew playing at the back. Foster, Kerr and McDonald playing in midfield, Mackie and Miller up front and Young getting forward when he could to support them.

The home side had the best of the opening exchanges, putting the Aberdeen defence under some early pressure, with the Dons resorting to long balls up to Miller and Mackie. Murphy had the first chance of the game for the home side; the Dons defence were caught square as the ball was played in behind Mulgrew for Murphy who should have done better than just trundling the ball into Langfield’s arms.

Zander Diamond’s recent injury woes continued as he limped off after only 20 minutes. Stuart Duff replaced him and went into the wide left position Yong was playing. Young moved into central midfield and Foster switched to right back.

The Dons created the best chance of the game on the half hour mark. Kerr and McDonald linked really well in the middle, with Kerr playing McDonald through on goal; his left footed shot was well saved by Smith in the Motherwell goal and gave the Dons the first corner of the afternoon. Foster was then booked after losing possession to Clarkson.

Both teams were now cancelling each other out and there was very little between them. The Dons playing better than last week, with Kerr and McDonald doing well in midfield but again the final ball was letting the Dons down. It was encouraging to see McDonald making some great forward runs.

Motherwell’s best chance again fell to Murphy, he found himself with time and space in the box but couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and in the end shot straight at Langfield. He really should have scored.

Half Time 0-0

The second half began with another injury scare for the Dons; this time Derek Young required treatment but thankfully was okay to continue.

Motherwell started the second half in much the same fashion as the first putting the Dons under serious pressure. Two corners in 2 minutes almost produced the opener for Motherwell as Hughes rose, unchallenged, to head over the bar. Then Porter had a free headed which he directed straight into Langfield’s arms. The Dons were second best at this stage and failed to build any clear cut chances.

Tommy Wright made his Dons debut when he replaced Lee Miller with half an hour remaining. Wright had been on the field for less than two minutes when he headed back across the Motherwell goal with his first touch, only for Smith to deny the Englishman a goal on his debut with a fine save. What a start that would have been!

Wright and Stephen Craigan had an altercation which upset the Motherwell captain. Wright was certainly putting himself about and picked up a booking for a rash challenge. However the introduction of Wright seemed to spark the Dons into life but it looked like the game was heading for a draw when the Dons snatched the lead. Charlie Mulgrew fired in a spectacular free kick, low into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

With only minutes remaining Mulgrew then produced a superb tackle on Darren Smith. As good a tackle as you will see all season. Foster and Severin also had great tackles in the box in the final seconds to ensure the Dons held on for their first win at Fir Park since March 2007.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Clarkson, Lasley, Hughes, Fitzpatrick (O’Brien 90), Porter, Murphy (Darren Smith 59).

Subs:  Neilson, Malcolm, McGarry, Connolly, Wilson.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Diamond (Duff 21), Considine, Mulgrew, Young, Kerr, Severin, McDonald, Miller (Wright 69), Mackie.

Subs: Bossu, De Visscher, Maguire, Stuart Smith.

Booked: Foster, Kerr, Young, Wright.

Goal: Mulgrew 86.

Att: 5,872

Ref: S Conroy