Well kid learns fast

DARREN RANDOLPH insists Steven Saunders will bounce back from his penalty blunder against Aalesunds.

The Motherwell defender conceded an injury-time spot-kick to let the Norwegians make it 1-1 in Thursday's Europa League clash.

Keeper Randolph revealed the youngster was distraught in the dressing room after the game - but he wants him to pick his head up.

He said: "You have to feel sorry for Steven - everyone makes mistakes. It is the old cliche about how you bounce back from them.

"I've no doubt he'll come out and put in a magic performance next week.

"I got a good view of the incident and I saw it coming before it actually happened.

"Everything seemed to be in slow motion and I knew straight away it was going to be a penalty.

"We had a free-kick just before the penalty and when I asked the referee how long was left, he said there were two minutes. I knew if I got the ball and kicked it out, it would be all over.

"Steven was left pretty distraught in the dressing room and we told him to forget about it. What is done is done.

"We didn't lose and we are still in a good position.

"It happens to every single person in the team and when it happens to you, it is disappointing.

"But it can be character building for him and he will learn from that - he won't do it again.

"Something will click in his head to say 'don't do it'. It is good to happen to him now when he is young.

"We are very disappointed because it was the last kick of the ball but it is still a very good result. The boys gave everything they had for the 90 minutes. For that to happen when it did, it takes a bit off the performance. But we are still in the tie.

"There is no bigger incentive than drawing a big team in the next round which is why we are so gutted, as we had one foot in the door.

"It certainly doesn't make it impossible for us but it does make it harder and it will be a tough game.

"We will still take a lot of positives from it and when we get them back at Fir Park we will put everything we learned into practice and hopefully get the win."

Well gave a solid display at the back and easily dealt with the threat of 6ft 8½ins hitman Tor Hogne Aaroy.

Randolph said: "We knew what he was all about and we knew we'd handle him if we were physical with him.

"He did catch me off guard with one shot but I got my legs in the way."

Meanwhile, Randolph has been taking pelters from his team-mates after gaffer Craig Brown said he could attract new female fans to Fir Park.

Randolph said: "A few of the boys gave me some stick after the boss said that.

"The article was pinned up in the dressing room - I don't know what he sees."

Striker John Sutton picked up a back injury but should be fit for the second leg.