IBRAHIMA BALDE, the Kuban Krasnodar striker, had made the dubious connection between Motherwell's Men of Steel and DC Comics' Superman in the build-up to this game - possibly the first visiting player to ever do so - and it appears that European football continues to be the Lanarkshire side's kryptonite.
Seemingly unable to replicate their continually impressive domestic form under the bright midweek lights - admittedly against much sterner opposition - Motherwell once again travel back to Fir Park with nothing. After conceding seven goals in four matches without scoring last season, Stuart McCall's side have again failed to beat the goalkeeper in European competition, albeit this time over just the one two-legged tie.
Seven games now. That's how long it has been since Motherwell fans have had something to properly cheer in continental contests. Their home matches have been characterised by a familiar failing - naivety and an urge to attack which has caused them to be caught out on the counter - but it was a Stephen McManus own goal and Bob McHugh's missed penalty that was to be Motherwell's undoing on this occasion.
Around 50 adventurous fans had managed secure a quick visa - not to mention costly two-stop flights - and they were treated to a display of pre-match Cossack sword-fighting and dancing as their hosts celebrated their first-ever European home game in some considerable style.
The Fir Park side were comfortable in the first half, although they rarely threatened to score the away goal that would have given them a lifeline. For the hosts, David Tsoraev's looped early header sailed over the bar and Balde - in a nice piece of repetitive frustration - was almost sent through three times from three Charles Kabore through balls. Earlier, Kabore had charged into the box, cutting the ball back, only for Anton Sosnin to send his volley over the bar.
The away side were not without chances themselves. Zaine Francis- Angol - roaming the flanks of the visitors' five-man midfield - briefly threatened to break through, and an Henri Anier driven cross was deflected just wide.
"I was proud of them," said McCall. "It was a good effort. I have watched them four times and I watched them on Sunday against Spartak [Moscow], and they are a really good side. They are talking about Balde going for £10-11m and the boy in the middle [Charles Kabore] for £7-8m."
McCall, who chose to travel without James McFadden, John Sutton and Iain Vigurs - to prevent them aggravating muscle problems on the six-and-a-half hour flight home - was pleased to go into half-time within relative touching distance. "Their opportunities came from two or three of our errors; they didn't really cut us open. Then they got the goal and we rocked for about five minutes but we battled away and it would have been the icing on the cake if we had scored at the end."
He was referring to the last-minute penalty - awarded after Djibril Cisse handled the ball from a Stevie Hammell free kick - missed by Bob McHugh or, more accurately, saved by Kuban's Aleksandr Belenov. It was not the only spot-kick of an entertaining second half either, Motherwell's Gunnar Nielsen marking his debut for the club - and giving the long-travelled away fans something to cheer - with a save from Kabore in the 75th minute. For the most part, though, Motherwell spent the second half on the back foot, noticeably rattled after Roman Bugaev, the Kuban left-back, sent over a seemingly harmless cross which McManus headed straight into his own top corner.
"The effort and determination was good and we're disappointed to lose," McCall said. "Bob's disappointed and Mick [McManus] is disappointed but they have no need - people miss penalties and score own goals. Their keeper is a big lad and if you go the right way you've got a chance. They were two good penalty saves."
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