Motherwell ace Max Johnston hails wonder strike winner against St Mirren

Max Johnston hit his wonder winner for Motherwell because he couldn't see anybody in the box, and says he knew it was in as soon as it left his boot.

The 19-year-old bagged his first goal for the club in the 19th minute, taking a Sean Goss cross on his chest before lashing a shot across goalkeeper Trevor Carson and into the far corner of the net from an acute angle.

That put Motherwell 2-0 up, adding to Kevin van Veen’s eighth-minute opener, and though Ryan Strain halved the deficit before half-time, the Steelmen held on to record their first Premiership win since October 29.

It was also their first three points at home since August 20, and a first league win in 12 attempts.

Johnston was beaming after the game and said: “I’m delighted, but more delighted with the win to be honest, and at home – it’s massive.

“I didn’t think anybody was in the box, so I thought I’d try to hit the target, and luckily it has gone in.

“It was one of those where I knew it was in as soon as I hit it.

“It was a nice connection, so I was buzzing.

“Hopefully I get a chance to score more goals like that, definitely, but to be fair I don’t think I could do any better than big Jon Obika and Kevin van Veen – they’ve been brilliant, so I don’t think I could hack that!”

Motherwell showed a strength that has been missing to race into a two-goal lead, but more so to see it out in the face of some pressure from St Mirren.

Johnston reckons that was a huge factor in the win, and gave something back to long-suffering fans – but it’s important to take that on to Sunday’s clash against Hearts.

He said: “It’s a huge win, and a win at home gives everyone in about the club a lot of confidence.

“I think every game is the biggest game of our season now, to be