Motherwell players celebrate in front of their fans with goalscorer Tawanda MaswanhiseSNS

Tawanda Maswanhise (left) scored 22 goals for Motherwell last season, in all competitions

At a glance

  • Maswanhise fires Motherwell in front from penalty spot after Charles-Cook fouled

  • Former Celtic striker Pukki pulls HJK level having just come off bench

  • Sides meet at Fir Park on Thursday with place in Conference League play-offs at stake

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bolt Arena, Helsinki

Former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki earned HJK Helsinki a draw at home to Motherwell in Conference League qualifying - but the Scottish Premiership side will be favourites to advance to a play-off against Freiburg.

Alfred Johansson's men struggled to create anything of note in an uneventful first half, but produced a superb second-half performance at the Bolt Arena and deservedly led through Tawanda Maswanhise's penalty.

Regan Charles-Cook was caught by HJK right-back Miska Yiltolva and after a lengthy delay, the video assistant referee summoned on-field official Dalibor Cerny to the monitor.

His point to the spot sent the 550-strong away support into bedlam, and they were spilling on to the pitch when Maswanhise fired them in front.

The lead was short-lived, though, as Pukki hauled HJK level with his first set of touches. The veteran dodged defenders down the right-hand side of the box before blasting the ball into the roof of the net, leaving Alex Paulsen with no chance.

The Motherwell goalkeeper had denied Leonel Montano from point-blank range in the biggest chance of the first half, but the action was all in the second.

Oscar Priestman dragged a shot wide while Emmanuel Longelo nonchalantly unleashed a ferocious drive from distance that left the crossbar shaking.

Motherwell did not muster much threat after the equaliser, but the travelling fans would have happily pocketed this result in the Finnish capital before the teams meet again in Lanarkshire next week.

Analysis: Good night could have been great night

Well, they will take that.

Though HJK struggle to live up to their big name in Finnish football these days, this was still a tricky task for Motherwell, on the astroturf against a side who are 18-games deep into their league campaign.

In the first half, that showed a bit. Joonas Rantanen's side were comfortable without really creating a noteworthy chance. There were moments, though, causing a degree of concern for the visitors.

On the rare occasion Motherwell wandered forward, things were not sticking. The new-look front line had that new-look feel about them.

But they got to know each other at half-time.

After the break, they had the look of a totally different team. Bright, front-footed and confident - like they could sniff the whiff of a win within their reach.

HJK could not contend with them. Combined with their profligacy in the first half, the hosts lived up to one local journalist's pre-match assessment of "shaky".

If it was not for Pukki, HJK would have had an absolute mountain to climb. At their best, they were never great travellers on the continent. And they are far from their best here.

A good night's work all round for Well, but it could have been a great night.

What Johansson said

Johansson on draw with HJK Helsinki

Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson: "I think it was a good performance. I'm very, very proud of the players.

"The players started to be even more brave in their decision-making [in the second half]. It's mainly the players who decided to say 'let's play'. They were more aggressive in the press, which allows you to recover more balls higher up the pitch, which makes you feel more confident.

"The players turned up the heat a little bit and that was good to see."

What's next?

Motherwell are on a flight back to Scotland tonight to prepare for their first home game of the Scottish Premiership season on Sunday against Falkirk (15:00 BST).

They welcome HJK to Fir Park on Thursday (19:30 BST).

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