Kevin Nisbet is next to threaten for the hosts.

But the captain's header from 15 yards is held low on his line by goalkeeper Toby Steward.

Hicham Mahou finds the side netting from eight yards as Aberdeen continue to press - and continue to miss chances.

More Saints changes, with Jamie Gullan on for goalscorer Josh Fowler and Josh Campbell on for Sam Stanton in midfield.

Kevin Nisbet is an inch away from nodding the equaliser.

Hicham Mahou's fine cross almost finds the Dons striker, but goalkeeper Toby Steward collects.

Steward flaps at the next cross into the box but against survives.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie

The moans and groans are becoming ever louder from the Aberdeen fans as they struggle to break down St Johnstone. Too many passes are going astray and there has been a real lack of quality in the final third.

Kevin Nisbet sets up fellow forward Tony Yogane in front of the St Johnstone goal.

But the former Dundee winger's side-footed effort is too weak to beat goalkeeper Toby Steward.

Another Dons change.

Midfielder Hicham Mahou is on for defender Nesta Guinness-Walker.

For the visitors, Taylor Steven replaces Matty Todd in midfield.

Another corner, another chance missed for the Dons.

It finds Jack Milne at the back post, but the centre-half is struggling to prevent it crossing the by-line but manages to turn it off the outside of the upright.

Tony Yogane's cross finds Chris Cadden lurking at the back post, but the Aberdeen right-back's effort is wild from 12 yards.

The hosts remain wasteful as they continue to dominate possession in a terribly scrappy game with little quality on show.

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson tells BBC Scotland: "We are the second best team today. Celtic are better than us.

"We were not sharp enough in and around their box. Second half, we started okay, then you concede the second goal in the way we did. After that, we tried to be positive and we created a couple of chances. When the game opens up like that, they look dangerous in transition.

"Some of the things that did work well was that we played more forward, we found Seb Palmer-Houlden in behind. I didn't think our counter-press was particularly good, or that our high press was good.

"[Goalkeeper] Alex Paulsen played a really good game. Still, from the good sequences we had, we need to create more chances from these moments. We are still lacking the last pass - that's something we need to continue to work on.

"Motherwell has a clear football philosophy. This is something I and the players are fully behind. Building a new team is not done overnight. We will get more players back from injury, young players will grow, but we will not change anything [in terms of style]."

Image source, SNS

Both sides make changes.

For Aberdeen, winger Tony Yogane and midfielder Stuart Armstrong replace Connor Ronan and Findlay Marshall.

Meanwhile, Saints have midfielder Joel Cotterill on for Ruari Paton.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Toby Steward makes the mess of another punch at a corner, but the visitors survive again.

So close to an own goal.

Lewis Smith's low cross seems to be heading for goalkeeper Toby Steward, but defender Dan Finlayson slides in.

But, fortunately for the visitors, it flies just wide of his own goal.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

Aberdeen need that extra bit of quality - or good fortune.

If they got a goal, the momentum would be with them.

Aberdeen are back up the other end and visiting goalkeeper Toby Steward punches thin air as he tries to fist away a corner.

Fortunately for the on-loan Portsmouth man, the ball whizzes past the far post for a goal kick.

So close to disaster at the back for Aberdeen.

Mats Knoester is short with a back pass and, when Marius Muller's clearance comes off Ruari Paton, it looks like the striker is in behind the goalkeeper with an empty goal beckoning.

However, the spin takes the ball away from goal and the danger is averted.

Connor Ronan again threatens.

Only this time, the midfielder's shot with the outside of his boot flies just wide of the far post from 12 yards.

Aberdeen are laying siege on the Saints penalty box.

Three corner kicks within a minute and Connor Ronan has a powerful drive deflected wide.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts & Hibs midfielder on Premier Sports

The onus is now on Aberdeen to take control of the game and create more chances in this second half.