It is hard to analyse Motherwell's performance given the early red card which hurt their chances of a comeback.
However, a flat and messy opening 20 minutes will have done little to give Motherwell fans belief they would have mounted a comeback, along with the fact they have won just once all season after conceding first.
Although they could still make the top six, in truth they have never looked like a team who deserve to be in the top half, given they have won three times since Christmas.
Michael Wimmer is responsible for two of those after initially coming in and quickly implementing a high-energy and disciplined style which earned victories against Dundee and Rangers.
But those early signs of promise have evaporated in the last couple of weeks and Motherwell look more like the team who toiled badly in the closing weeks of Stuart Kettlewell's tenure as they struggle to keep the ball.
With so many players out of contract in the summer, and highly-rated teenager Lennon Miller the subject of interest from bigger clubs, there is a danger Motherwell's season starts to drift.
Given they are only four points clear of the relegation play-off spot, they cannot afford to lose their focus.
