Debutant Louis Laing has received a red card in the first half as Motherwell went into the break 1-0 down against St Johnstone.

Johnstone got off to a flying start as Murray Davidson slotted past Dan Twardzik in the eighth minute. Christopher Kane danced around the flailing Well defence and Davidson had all the time in the world to pick his corner and finish easily.

Motherwell had a superb chance to equalise but Josh Law's free kick could only be headed wide from four yards out by Liam Anderson. Laing then got shown his marching orders after bringing down Steve MacLean, who was through on goal and denied a goal-scoring opportunity.

David Wotherspoon curled the resulting free kick around the post before Twardzik tipped Davidson's shot around the corner after the striker had broken into the box, leaving the score 1-0 at half-time.