Ross County v Inverness CT
Ross County beat Inverness CT for the first time since 2009, which helped edge their Highland rivals out of a Europa League spot for season 2013/14.
Canadian defender Andre Hainault put the hosts in front with a fine 10-yard volley just before half-time.
Billy McKay's opportunistic flick from David Raven's shot almost pegged back County, who had Iain Vigurs hit the post from a free-kick near the end.
St Johnstone leapfrogged Caley Thistle into third by
beating Motherwell
.
Despite having held second or third place in the Scottish Premier League for much of the season, Caley Thistle's loss in Dingwall means that they finish fourth, two points behind the Perth side.
No maiden journey into European football now awaits Terry Butcher's men.
Fifth-placed County have only lost two of their last 15 matches at Victoria Park and they will be delighted to get their first Highland derby win in eight attempts.
A calf injury to Michael Fraser meant goalkeeper Paul Gallacher made his Ross County debut and he comfortably dealt with Charlie Taylor's bobbling shot from distance in the opening exchanges.
But some would argue the former Dunfermline stopper should have been picking the ball out of the net when Caley Thistle defender Danny Devine stretched to turn Aaron Doran's corner wide of the post from six yards.
At the other end, Sproule, so often clinical for the hosts this season, side-footed over the crossbar from eight yards after Evangelos Ikonomou's low centre from the left-hand side.
County's Mihael Kovacevic took matters into his own hands as he darted from deep to toe-poke a 20-yard effort into the arms of visiting goalkeeper Antonio Reguero.
And, minutes later, the hosts' German striker, Steffen Wohlfarth, had Kilmarnock-bound Reguero scrambling across his goal-mouth with a speculative volley that skidded wide.
Butcher altered his midfield by replacing Conor Pepper with Nick Ross, but County's attacking continued as midfielder Stuart Kettlewell's 25-yard strike curled inches wide.
And, with half-time approaching, Derek Adams' side got the breakthrough from an unlikely source.
It was centre-back Hainault whose terrific volley lashed into the back of the net after a headed clearance from Paul Lawson's cross had fallen to the Canadian.
After the break, Caley Thistle's Aaron Doran tested Gallacher from distance, but County's impressive forward play resumed.
Sproule's dangerous cross from the right was followed by another from the left by Ikonomou that Wohlfarth nearly turned into the goal.
However, the visitors' equaliser almost arrived in strange fashion when striker McKay stuck a leg out to divert Raven's long-range strike narrowly past the upright.
End-to-end football ensued as Doran shot high for Inverness before County's Lawson had two efforts well blocked by the Inverness rear-guard.
Marauding running down the left by Ikonomou troubled Inverness all afternoon and it won the hosts a free-kick from which Vigurs hit the post.
Reguero also denied Vigurs at the death to prevent County doubling their lead.
Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (5)
Ross County
19 Gallacher
05 Boyd Booked
13 Hainault
18 Ikonomou
22 Kovacevic
07 Kettlewell Booked
08 Lawson
11 Vigurs
16 Sproule Booked (Cooper - 90' )
29 Fotheringham (Scott - 79' )
15 Wohlfarth (Glen - 67' )
Substitutes
28 McCarthy
04 Munro
23 Macphee
14 Scott
21 Cooper
20 Glen
27 Porritt
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
12 Reguero
02 Raven Booked
03 Shinnie Booked
06 Hogg
14 Meekings Booked
27 Devine
28 Taylor (Sutherland - 78' )
10 Shinnie
22 Pepper (Ross - 36' )
07 McKay
17 Doran
Substitutes
01 Esson
11 Ross
20 Laing
21 Polworth
38 Ryan Christie
18 Sutherland
37 Ferguson
Ref: Norris
Att: 6,002
Match Stats
Shots
15
8
On target
8
3
Corners
4
4
Fouls
16
7
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:17 Full time
Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.
90:00 +1:26
Iain Vigurs takes a shot. Save by Antonio Reguero.
90:00 +0:27
Gary Glen is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
89:04
Iain Vigurs has an effort direct from the free kick.
89:04 Substitution
Substitution (Ross County) makes a substitution, with Alex Cooper coming on for Ivan Sproule.
89:04 Booking
Booking David Raven goes into the referee's book.
88:57
Evangelos Ikonomou fouled by David Raven, the ref awards a free kick.
83:51
Corner taken by Graeme Shinnie from the right by-line.
82:56
Gary Glen takes a shot. Antonio Reguero makes a save.
82:13
Nick Ross concedes a free kick for a foul on Iain Vigurs. Free kick crossed left-footed by Iain Vigurs from right channel, Daniel Devine manages to make a clearance.
78:42 Substitution
Substitution Martin Scott comes on in place of Mark Fotheringham.
78:23
Paul Lawson takes a shot.
Save made by Antonio Reguero.
77:04
Free kick taken by Paul Gallacher.
77:04 Substitution
Substitution Shane Sutherland is brought on as a substitute for Charlie Taylor.
77:04
The referee blows for offside.
75:32
Unfair challenge on Charlie Taylor by Mark Fotheringham results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
73:02
Inswinging corner taken by Aaron Doran from the left by-line.
70:25
Paul Lawson fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
70:25 Booking
Booking Booking for Josh Meekings.
70:20
Josh Meekings concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Glen.
68:04
Paul Lawson takes a shot. Josh Meekings gets a block in.
66:52
Charlie Taylor fouled by Iain Vigurs, the ref awards a free kick. Josh Meekings takes the indirect free kick.
66:01 Substitution
Substitution (Ross County) makes a substitution, with Gary Glen coming on for Steffen Wohlfarth.
65:14
Daniel Devine concedes a free kick for a foul on Steffen Wohlfarth. Free kick crossed right-footed by Paul Lawson, Foul by Andre Hainault on Antonio Reguero, free kick awarded. Antonio Reguero takes the free kick.
64:34
Shot from just outside the box by Aaron Doran misses to the right of the target.
63:22
Paul Lawson challenges Nick Ross unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Chris Hogg.
60:25
Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Paul Lawson, Iain Vigurs produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.
59:06
Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Devine on Steffen Wohlfarth. Paul Gallacher takes the direct free kick.
57:59
Effort from deep inside the area by Billy McKay misses to the left of the target.
57:16
Iain Vigurs gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie. David Raven crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, Scott Boyd makes a clearance.
56:05
Charlie Taylor fouled by Mihael Kovacevic, the ref awards a free kick.
The free kick is swung in right-footed by Aaron Doran, clearance made by Billy McKay.
55:04
Strike on goal comes in from Josh Meekings from the free kick.
55:04 Booking
Booking Booking for Stuart Kettlewell for unsporting behaviour.
54:51
Stuart Kettlewell challenges Andrew Shinnie unfairly and gives away a free kick.
53:16
Iain Vigurs takes a shot. Antonio Reguero makes a comfortable save.
49:18
Steffen Wohlfarth challenges Chris Hogg unfairly and gives away a free kick.
Direct free kick taken by Chris Hogg.
48:13
Paul Lawson takes the outswinging corner, David Raven makes a clearance.
45:33
Aaron Doran takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by Paul Gallacher.
45:01
The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +1:14 Half time
Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.
44:30
Mark Fotheringham takes a shot. Comfortable save by Antonio Reguero.
43:04
Paul Lawson provided the assist for the goal.
43:04 Goal scored
Goal - Andre Hainault - Ross Co 1 - 0 Inverness Andre Hainault finds the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the top right corner of the goal. Ross County 1-0 Inverness CT.
42:13
Paul Lawson takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post. Paul Lawson delivers the ball,
38:34
Stuart Kettlewell takes a shot from long range which goes wide of the right-hand post.
36:25
Charlie Taylor has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
35:44
Direct free kick taken by Chris Hogg.
35:44 Booking
Booking Scott Boyd is booked.
35:42
Nick Ross fouled by Scott Boyd, the ref awards a free kick.
34:45
Free kick taken by Iain Vigurs.
34:45 Substitution
Substitution Nick Ross joins the action as a substitute, replacing Conor Pepper.
34:45
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Lawson by Daniel Devine.
31:04
Steffen Wohlfarth has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide left of the target.
29:15
Inswinging corner taken by Paul Lawson from the left by-line.
28:37
Mihael Kovacevic takes a shot. Comfortable save by Antonio Reguero.
26:49
Antonio Reguero takes the free kick.
26:49 Booking
Booking Ivan Sproule receives a caution for dissent.
26:43 Booking
Booking Graeme Shinnie goes into the referee's book for dissent.
25:56
Ivan Sproule gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Graeme Shinnie.
22:01
Stuart Kettlewell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Charlie Taylor. Chris Hogg restarts play with the free kick.
20:45
Right-footed shot by Paul Lawson missed to the left of the goal.
19:54
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Hogg by Steffen Wohlfarth. Chris Hogg restarts play with the free kick.
19:12
Ivan Sproule produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
17:44
Unfair challenge on Graeme Shinnie by Mark Fotheringham results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
14:13
Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Hogg on Steffen Wohlfarth. Free kick crossed right-footed by Iain Vigurs from right channel, save by Antonio Reguero.
11:16
Mihael Kovacevic concedes a free kick for a foul on Aaron Doran. Graeme Shinnie restarts play with the free kick.
10:10
Corner from the left by-line taken by Aaron Doran, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Josh Meekings goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
7:48
Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Aaron Doran played to the near post, Daniel Devine has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.
7:35
Stuart Kettlewell concedes a free kick for a foul on Andrew Shinnie. Free kick taken by Billy McKay.
3:31
Charlie Taylor takes a shot. Save by Paul Gallacher.
2:38
Josh Meekings fouled by Ivan Sproule, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
0:00
The referee gets the match started.
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Newcastle v Arsenal
Newcastle winger Sylvain Marveaux could return after hamstring problems and Cheick Tiote should be fit after limping off last weekend.
Goalkeeper Steve Harper should start after Rob Elliot, who was replacing the injured Tim Krul, was sent off last week.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta is very doubtful with a calf strain, but could be replaced by Jack Wilshere.
Olivier Giroud is available again after serving a three-match ban.
MATCH PREVIEW
When Arsenal were beaten at Spurs at the beginning of March, it left Arsene Wenger admitting that qualifying for the Champions League looked distinctly unlikely; they were seven points adrift of Tottenham with 10 games to play.
With one game to play, Arsenal are now a point ahead of their great rivals, and have qualification in their grasp. It's been quite a swing, with Arsenal taking 23 points to Spurs' 15 over the same period.
So all Arsenal have to do is win at Newcastle and they will have pipped Tottenham to the riches of the Champions League - and given Gareth Bale a big decision to make.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Mark Lawrenson
Football analyst
"The way Arsene Wenger's side have finished the season is still hugely impressive.
I am backing them to beat Newcastle too, to ensure a top-four finish - although I don't imagine it will be a straightforward win."
Read Lawro's full prediction and score
Winning at Newcastle has not been the toughest of assignments in recent weeks - Sunderland and Liverpool did it with ease, combined score 9-0.
Newcastle's week has been much like their season - mixed. First they secured safety with the win at Loftus Road, then Alan Pardew made his ill-advised 'joke' about not caring if he lost 4-0 to Arsenal now that they couldn't go down. I doubt they were laughing their heads off at White Hart Lane over that one.
To make matters worse, the website of owner Mike Ashley's Sports Direct company then claimed that Newcastle were in talks to sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United.
Now that did give everyone a good laugh - there's probably more chance of Ashley himself lining up in the Newcastle side next season. Cue an embarrassed retraction from Sports Direct, and a deafening silence from Team Rooney.
Yet amidst all this black and white comedy, there is no question that, despite damaging injuries, Newcastle have some terrific talent at their disposal.
For the first time in months, they can play without fear but with the motivation of making amends for the horror shows against Sunderland and Liverpool.
Do Newcastle have it in them to avoid defeat and give Spurs the chance they're hoping for? Arsenal will be anxiously reflecting that they just might.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Arsenal won the reverse fixture at the Emirates 7-3 in December, with Theo Walcott scoring a hat-trick.
Two seasons ago, the Magpies were 4-0 down after 26 minutes. They were still 4-0 down with 22 minutes left but then staged an incredible fightback to earn a 4-4 draw.
Newcastle have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal (W1, D5, L5).
Four of the last five league meetings at St James's Park have been draws, with Arsenal winning the other.
Newcastle
Only relegated Reading and Wigan have conceded more goals than Newcastle's 67 this season.
Newcastle have failed to score in two successive Premier League home games.
They last failed to score in three in a row back in August 2007 (six games).
The Magpies have won only one of their games on the final day of a Premier League season in their previous 10 campaigns (W1, D5, L4).
Newcastle have earned 10 fewer points at home this season compared to last season (28:38). They have lost eight home games so far in 2012-13, compared to three in their 19 home games in the last league campaign.
Alan Pardew's side have won just three of the 19 games they have played against teams in the top half (W3, D4 L12).
Arsenal
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine league matches, winning seven of them.
Arsenal have won four successive Premier League away games.
The last time that the Gunners won five in a row away in the league was back in September 2004.
Four Arsenal players have scored 10 or more league goals this season, more than any other top-flight club - it's only the fourth time in the Premier League era that four players from one club have reached doubles figures.
Just four players have reached double figures in both goal and assist categories in the Premier League this season, with two of these Arsenal players (Theo Walcott has 14 goals, 10 assists, and Santi Cazorla has 12 goals, 11 assists).
If only the second half of games counted, Arsenal would already have been crowned Premier League champions..
Britain's Gordon Reid lands Italy tournament win
British men's wheelchair tennis number one Gordon Reid won his third tournament of the year with victory in the Internazionale d'Italia in Rome.
Reid beat second-ranked Stephane Houdet of France 3-6 6-3 6-1 in the final.
The title is a timely boost for world number six Reid. The Scot, 21, will be part of the British side competing at the World Team Cup in Turkey, which starts on Monday.
The Rome event took place alongside the ATP and WTA tour events.
Reid, who started playing wheelchair tennis in 2005 after contracting a virus, has also qualified for his first Grand Slam singles event at the upcoming French Open at Roland Garros from 5 June.
In Turkey, he will be part of the GB men's team alongside Marc McCarroll and David Philipson while London doubles bronze medallists Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker make up the women's team with Louise Hunt.
The quad team is made up of Jamie Burdekin, Antony Cotterill and Adam Field while world number one boys player Alfie Hewett teams up with Lauren Jones and Luz Esperanza Merry in the junior event.
Reid booked his place in the Rome final after an easy 6-0 6-1 win over Austria's Martin Legner while Houdet was a comfortable winner over Dan Kleckner to set up a fourth match between the pair this year.
Although Houdet took the opening set, Reid recovered well and claimed his second win of the year against his French rival..
England v New Zealand: Alastair Cook praises Broad & Anderson
England captain Alastair Cook saluted pace bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson after their
170-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test.
The pair bowled unchanged in the Kiwis' second innings, man of the match Broad taking Test-best figures of 7-44 as the tourists were skittled for 68.
"I think the extra heat helped the ball swing, and Broady and Jimmy were outstanding," Cook told BBC Sport.
"We can improve in all areas of our game, but a 170-run win is a big win."
The Black Caps had been left to chase 239 to win after seamer Tim Southee took 6-50 for match figures of 10-108.
Test Match Special analysis
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain & TMS summariser
"It was a terrific Test match to watch. New Zealand have been involved in a few collapses and maybe the bad habits came back.
"But England just kept finding the outside edge, and when Broad gets the ball in his hand and starts doing what he's done today, you have to be a pretty strong batting line-up to cope."
With the Test won with a day and a half to spare, Cook admitted: "We wanted more runs, but cricket's a strange game and sometimes results like that happen.
"At 159-2 [on day three] with a lead of nearly 190, we were thinking 'bat them out of the game', but Tim Southee bowled outstandingly well for New Zealand."
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum joined his opposite number in praising Southee, adding: "Tim has been the spearhead of our attack for a while and he'll look back and feel proud of his achievement.
"I thought we had parity or dominated the game for long periods and the margin of victory flatters England, but they bowled superbly in that hour before lunch which ripped the heart out of us.
"We haven't had one of those collapses for a while, but if you let England get their tails up, they're quality bowlers and they were outstanding."
The Kiwis must regroup ahead of Friday's second Test at Headingley, having ended the match with two injured players after wicketkeeper BJ Watling suffered a knee injury and spinner Bruce Martin was hampered by a calf problem.
"BJ is a bit stiff and sore, so we'll evaulate him over the next few days, and Bruce is touch and go for the next game so we'll have to see," said McCullum.
"We've shown we have resilience to bounce back from tough circumstances and we've got to build on the positives.
"But we can never take our eye off the job in hand, we took a step backwards today and we need to make sure we're ready for the next game."
Anderson
passed the landmark of 300 Test wickets
earlier in the match, and Cook added: "Just watching Jimmy bowl from slip and seeing the pain fast bowlers go through, reaching 300 wickets was outstanding and hopefully he's got a few more left in him."
Listen to match highlights and Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott's analysis of each day's play on the
Test Match Special podcast..
French MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow enjoys ‘deserved’ second place
Darren Barker has been given another world title chance with a bout against IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale in New York this summer.
Argentine Sergio Martinez knocked out the Londoner in the 11th round of his maiden world title tilt in 2011.
But Barker, 31, boosted his stock by stopping Italian Simone Rotolo in March and Welshman Kerry Hope in 2012.
Australian Geale now awaits on 17 August and Barker said: "This is a golden opportunity for me."
Since seeing off Rotolo, Barker has also been a stand-in trainer for Lee Purdy, throwing in the towel at the end of round seven after his charge took some significant blows.
Soon after that bout Barker's next fight against Geale was confirmed for the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Geale, 32, became a world champion in May, 2011 by beating Sebastian Sylvester.
Four successful defences have followed, the last a re-match points win against fellow Australian Anthony Mundine, who inflicted the only professional defeat of Geale in 30 contests in 2009..
French MotoGP highlights: Pedrosa wins from Crutchlow at Le Mans
Darren Barker has been given another world title chance with a bout against IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale in New York this summer.
Argentine Sergio Martinez knocked out the Londoner in the 11th round of his maiden world title tilt in 2011.
But Barker, 31, boosted his stock by stopping Italian Simone Rotolo in March and Welshman Kerry Hope in 2012.
Australian Geale now awaits on 17 August and Barker said: "This is a golden opportunity for me."
Since seeing off Rotolo, Barker has also been a stand-in trainer for Lee Purdy, throwing in the towel at the end of round seven after his charge took some significant blows.
Soon after that bout Barker's next fight against Geale was confirmed for the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Geale, 32, became a world champion in May, 2011 by beating Sebastian Sylvester.
Four successful defences have followed, the last a re-match points win against fellow Australian Anthony Mundine, who inflicted the only professional defeat of Geale in 30 contests in 2009..
Darren Barker to fight Daniel Geale for IBF world title
Darren Barker has been given another world title chance with a bout against IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale in New York this summer.
Argentine Sergio Martinez knocked out the Londoner in the 11th round of his maiden world title tilt in 2011.
But Barker, 31, boosted his stock by stopping Italian Simone Rotolo in March and Welshman Kerry Hope in 2012.
Australian Geale now awaits on 17 August and Barker said: "This is a golden opportunity for me."
Since seeing off Rotolo, Barker has also been a stand-in trainer for Lee Purdy, throwing in the towel at the end of round seven after his charge took some significant blows.
Soon after that bout Barker's next fight against Geale was confirmed for the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Geale, 32, became a world champion in May, 2011 by beating Sebastian Sylvester.
Four successful defences have followed, the last a re-match points win against fellow Australian Anthony Mundine, who inflicted the only professional defeat of Geale in 30 contests in 2009..
Sir Alex Ferguson's Telescope back on track for Epsom Derby
Sir Alex Ferguson received a boost ahead of his last match as Manchester United manager after Telescope, a horse he part-owns, was declared back on track for the Epsom Derby.
The three-year-old colt, owned by a syndicate which includes Ferguson,
missed Thursday's Dante Stakes at York because of a leg infection.
But he worked well during a gallop at Newmarket on Sunday morning.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute was said to be "delighted".
"As if there is not enough pressure surrounding a British Derby candidate, this has just added to the stress of it all really."
Highclere spokesman Harry Herbert
Telescope has not run since last September, but could have a racecourse gallop at Lingfield on Wednesday.
He is rated about 7-1 third favourite with bookmakers for the Epsom Derby, which takes place on 1 June, behind market leader Dawn Approach and fellow Irish-trained challenger Battle of Marengo.
Owners Highclere Racing
said on Twitter:
"Telescope worked very well this morning on the Trial Ground in Newmarket.
Sir Michael delighted and we move another step forward to Epsom!"
Highclere spokesman Harry Herbert added on Sunday: "If he comes through this OK, we'll take him to Lingfield on Wednesday where he will have his racecourse gallop.
"As long as Sir Michael is happy with him tonight and tomorrow morning, that will be the plan.
"As if there is not enough pressure surrounding a British Derby candidate, this has just added to the stress of it all really.
"There's still a chance he could make the Derby but we'll just take it day by day.".
St Johnstone v Motherwell
St Johnstone grabbed a place in the Europa League qualifiers for a second year running with a deserved win over SPL runners-up Motherwell.
Saints' Chris Millar had fired against the post before Liam Craig's 25-yard drive beat goalkeeper Lee Hollis after 36 minutes at McDiarmid Park.
Nigel Hasselbaink's fine shot on the turn two minutes after the break put St Johnstone further ahead.
It meant that Saints leapfrogged Inverness after the final day's play.
Caley Thistle had started the afternoon in third place, a point ahead of the Perth side, but Terry Butcher's side lost the Highland derby
1-0 away to Ross County
.
Hasselbaink (right) added the second goal as Saints claimed victory over Motherwell
Nicky Law, who will also depart Fir Park after this match, tried his luck early on with a hooked effort that fell just beyond the upright.
Saints thought they had grabbed the opener after seven minutes when Steven MacLean connected with Hasselbaink's pass and sent an angled drive past Hollis, but it was ruled out for offside.
Without the experience of the suspended Frazer Wright in central defence, Saints manager Steve Lomas made three other changes from the side that lost 4-0 away to champions Celtic.
It was one of the new men, Millar, who came closest to breaking the deadlock after more than half an hour of undistinguished play on a difficult pitch that led to the ball being changed five times in an attempt to find a true roll.
As the ball bobbled inside the Well penalty box, Millar's effort struck the face of a post before being cleared, but it was not long before Saints made the vital breakthrough.
Craig has already agreed a pre-contract agreement with Scottish Premier League rivals Hibernian and the midfielder's leaving present was an eighth goal of the season that travelled a long way across the rutted McDiarmid Park turf before nestling in the corner of the net past Hollis.
Motherwell could have levelled on the stroke of half-time, but Alan Mannus saved well from Michael Higdon's header, before Henrik Ojamaa blasted the rebound over.
Hollis, starting in place of Darren Randolph, who is poised to leave Fir Park after rejecting a new contract, was beaten again shortly after the interval.
Hasselbaink gathered a low pass into the box by Dave MacKay with his back to goal and his marker, but a swift swivel of his hips and a short backswing later and the ball had travelled 15 yards into the corner, with Hollis this time given no chance.
It was all Saints now and Murray Davidson, another set to leave McDiarmid Park after rejecting the offer of a new contract, sent an effort against the crossbar.
However, two goals were enough to deny Inverness third spot - and a place in Europe - for the first time in their history and send the Perth fans streaming on to the pitch to congratulate their players.
Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)
St Johnstone
01 Mannus
02 MacKay
03 Davidson
06 Anderson
19 Miller (Scobbie - 81' )
07 Millar
08 Davidson Booked
10 Craig Booked
11 Hasselbaink (Tade - 78' )
17 MacLean
23 Vine (Abeid - 69' )
Substitutes
15 Tuffey
26 Caddis
33 Scobbie
04 Cregg
14 Gwion Edwards
21 Abeid
09 Tade
Motherwell
12 Hollis
03 Hammell
05 Hutchinson
15 Ramsden
19 Kerr
04 Law
14 Lasley
18 Carswell (McHugh - 61' )
08 Ojamaa (Daley - 79' )
09 Higdon
20 McFadden (Higginbotham - 62' )
Substitutes
01 Randolph
26 Francis-Angol
30 Cummins
17 Daley
11 Higginbotham
16 McHugh
29 Erwin
Ref: Mclean
Att: 5,025
Match Stats
Shots
14
7
On target
4
5
Corners
6
4
Fouls
9
9
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +5:03 Full time
Full Time The match has reached full-time.
90:00 +4:35
Corner taken by Nicky Law from the left by-line, save by Alan Mannus.
90:00 +4:10
Kallum Higginbotham takes a shot. Blocked by Chris Millar.
90:00 +2:11
Free kick awarded for a foul by Omar Daley on Mehdi Abeid. Direct free kick taken by Liam Craig.
90:00 +0:37
Short corner worked by Mehdi Abeid.
89:31
Chris Millar concedes a free kick for a foul on Nicky Law. Lee Hollis takes the direct free kick.
86:59
Mehdi Abeid has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
85:41
Shaun Hutchinson takes a shot. Save made by Alan Mannus.
85:06
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fraser Kerr by Liam Craig. Nicky Law takes the direct free kick.
82:30
Foul by Robert McHugh on Callum Davidson, free kick awarded. Callum Davidson delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, Lee Hollis makes a save.
80:17 Substitution
Substitution Thomas Scobbie replaces Gary Miller.
78:10 Substitution
Substitution Omar Daley on for Henrik Ojamaa.
77:47 Substitution
Substitution Gregory Tade on for Nigel Hasselbaink.
77:22
Shot from outside the box by Chris Millar goes wide right of the target.
76:15
Shot by Liam Craig from just outside the area goes over the net.
75:22
Mehdi Abeid takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.
73:50
Corner taken by Liam Craig from the right by-line, Headed from the edge of the area by Steven Anderson goes wide of the left-hand post.
73:32
Mehdi Abeid takes a shot. Lee Hollis makes a save.
73:05
Shot by Murray Davidson.
71:38
Unfair challenge on Murray Davidson by Henrik Ojamaa results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Alan Mannus.
68:17 Substitution
Substitution Mehdi Abeid replaces Rowan Vine.
66:46
Michael Higdon has an effort direct from the free kick.
66:46 Booking
Booking Murray Davidson goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
66:42
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Robert McHugh by Murray Davidson.
64:37
The assistant referee flags for offside against Rowan Vine. Indirect free kick taken by Lee Hollis.
62:55
Inswinging corner taken by Nicky Law from the left by-line, clearance made by Steven Anderson.
61:13 Substitution
Substitution Kallum Higginbotham on for James McFadden.
60:44 Substitution
Substitution Robert McHugh is brought on as a substitute for Stewart Carswell.
53:07
James McFadden takes a shot. Save made by Alan Mannus.
50:58
Effort from inside the area by David MacKay misses to the left of the goal.
50:20
Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Rowan Vine from the left by-line, Michael Higdon manages to make a clearance.
46:22
Assist on the goal came from David MacKay.
46:22 Goal scored
Goal - Nigel Hasselbaink - St J'stone 2 - 0 Motherwell Nigel Hasselbaink scores a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. St Johnstone 2-0 Motherwell.
45:26
Corner taken by Rowan Vine from the left by-line, clearance made by Fraser Kerr.
45:01
The match restarts for the second half.
45:00 +2:10 Half time
Half Time The first half comes to an end.
45:00 +1:31
Effort from deep inside the area by Nicky Law clears the bar.
45:00 +0:40
Corner taken right-footed by Nicky Law, Michael Higdon takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
44:22
Chris Millar takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.
40:35
Chris Millar concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Higdon. Free kick crossed right-footed by Nicky Law from right wing, Gary Miller makes a clearance.
38:31
Stewart Carswell concedes a free kick for a foul on Murray Davidson.
Alan Mannus takes the free kick.
35:54 Goal scored
Goal - Liam Craig - St J'stone 1 - 0 Motherwell Liam Craig scores a goal from long range to the bottom right corner of the goal. St Johnstone 1-0 Motherwell.
34:34
Shot from just outside the box by Murray Davidson misses to the right of the target.
33:44
Corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig, save by Lee Hollis.
33:23
Corner taken by Rowan Vine from the left by-line, Simon Ramsden makes a clearance.
33:03
Shot by Chris Millar from deep inside the penalty area bounces off the post.
31:26
Free kick crossed by Nicky Law.
31:26 Booking
Booking Liam Craig receives a yellow card.
31:21
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Henrik Ojamaa by Liam Craig.
30:25
Effort from the edge of the box by Murray Davidson goes wide of the right-hand upright.
28:17
Keith Lasley challenges Chris Millar unfairly and gives away a free kick.
Callum Davidson takes the free kick.
24:29
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James McFadden by Steven Anderson. Free kick taken by Shaun Hutchinson.
23:09
Henrik Ojamaa gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Callum Davidson. Alan Mannus restarts play with the free kick.
21:29
Shaun Hutchinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven MacLean. Direct free kick taken by Liam Craig.
20:55
Steven Anderson fouled by James McFadden, the ref awards a free kick.
Free kick taken by Alan Mannus.
20:25
Nicky Law takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by Steven MacLean.
17:59
Liam Craig gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James McFadden. James McFadden crosses the ball in from the free kick, Callum Davidson gets a block in.
16:44
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by Chris Millar. Free kick taken by Simon Ramsden.
14:42
The official flags Michael Higdon offside.
Free kick taken by Alan Mannus.
12:43
The ball is swung over by Stevie Hammell, clearance made by Gary Miller.
8:30
Gary Miller produces a cross, save by Lee Hollis.
7:20
Henrik Ojamaa challenges Rowan Vine unfairly and gives away a free kick. Rowan Vine takes the direct free kick.
6:57
Unfair challenge on Simon Ramsden by Nigel Hasselbaink results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Lee Hollis.
6:23
The assistant referee signals for offside against Steven MacLean.
Indirect free kick taken by Lee Hollis.
5:07
Nicky Law has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.
3:41
The assistant referee flags for offside against Steven MacLean. Indirect free kick taken by Shaun Hutchinson.
0:00
The match has kicked off.
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