'Cup run can mask feeling of frustration'

You could argue Motherwell's latest league outing was a mirror of their season so far.

There was a flatness in their play at times, there were individual errors, moments of brilliance, some grit and fight... and unfortunately more injuries.

Let's start with that last point, and what a horrible sight it was to see Paul McGinn leave the field after what appears to be a recurrence of his thigh muscle injury that kept him out for three months this season.

He was absolutely distraught as he limped off. It's obviously a massive blow for him, but also the club.

Stuart Kettlewell doesn't yet know the full extend of McGinn's issue. He's been assessed, but it will be later in the week before there's a more definite outcome.

It's a huge disappointment, but one that Kettlewell will have to move on from quickly as he focuses on his next game, a Scottish Cup tie away to St Johnstone.

Facing St Johnstone in the cup will not be plain sailing. No-one at Motherwell will be looking at Saints' run of nine games without a win and taking a victory for granted.

Motherwell did get the better of Simo Valakari's side when they met in early November, but since then inconsistency has been their Achilles heel.

Just three wins from their following 12 games, with six defeats and three draws sandwiched in between.

It's frustrating times, yet when you look at the Premiership table, it still makes for good reading for Motherwell.

Fifth on 31 points, four points off fourth spot and six points off third. Right now they're surely still looking upwards.

However, when they return to league business, they'll want to be picking wins to prevent them being sucked downwards…

First things first though, trying to progress in the Scottish Cup. Another cup run would be welcome, and not just for all the rewards that follow; it could also encourage a positive effect on the pitch to take into the league.