Football: BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS; PREMIER LEAGUE Well keeper holds hands up to blunder MOTHERWELL 0 ABERDEEN 2.

Byline: GAVIN BERRY at Fir Park 

BLUNDER keeper Graeme Smith accepted the blame for Motherwell's third Premier League defeat in a row.

Smith was at fault for the first of Darren Mackie's two goals for Aberdeen at Fir Park

- and there was a huge question mark over him for the second.

He has so often been the Steelmen's hero but this time he was the full guy as they slumped to their worst start to an SPL season.

But former Rangers kid Smith - nicknamed Buzz - didn't try to duck the issue and vowed to bounce back from the horror show against Hibs at Easter Road next week.

He raced well out of his goal in the first half - only to see Mackie's pace beat him to the ball and the Dons frontman rounded him before putting it into the net.

Then Mackie grabbed the killer second after Smith appeared to collect a Barry Nicholson corner only to drop the ball on the line, although but there were claims he was fouled.

The 23-year-old, who will be part of a Scotland squad gathering this week, said: "The first goal was a bad decision by me and I'm gutted for my team-mates because I felt we were excellent up until then.

"It's a mistake. I just have to take it on the chin and make sure I don't do it again but there's no doubt it was a turning point.

"I've been in this situation before, at Ross County, and I just apologised to my team-mates but I've pulled them out of trouble before and I'm sure they've got confidence in me.

"I don't want to sound as if I'm making excuses but for the second goal I thought I had the ball one minute and next I was in the back of the net. I felt I was hit but I'll have to see it on TV.

"When a goalkeeper makes a mistake he sometimes get punished for it but I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I join Scotland on Monday which might help take my mind off it.

"I'm just gutted for the boys because I thought they played so well but I won't let it get me down. I'll go out and try to be the best player on the park next week - that's just the way I am."

Aberdeen's win was comfortable in the end and while Mackie struck twice, skipper Russell Anderson was also superb in the heart of a new-look three-man central defence.

Boss Jimmy Calderwood was delighted to see his men get their first win after failing to beat Motherwell in four attempts last season.

He said: "I'm happy with the result, although we scored slightly against the run of play. We got the break for the first goal which knocked the stuffing out of them.

"I don't know whether the boy was pushed or what at the second goal but that's the breaks you get.

"The win gets us up the table and gives us confidence."

Aberdeen won easily in the end but Motherwell had made the brighter start and wantaway striker Scott McDonald saw his header bounce off the top of the crossbar in the first minute.

The Dons took the lead out of the blue just after the half-hour mark with a swift passing move.

Michael Hart played the ball to Stevie Crawford who laid it off for Barry Nicholson to send a great first-time pass through the middle for Mackie to chase.

Smith had raced 20 yards off his line to try to clear the danger but Mackie's pace enabled him to beat both the keeper and Stephen Craigan and rounded them before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Then just after the hour-mark Aberdeen killed the game.

From the right Nicholson floated a ball to the back post, Zander Diamond headed it back towards goal and Smith looked to have claimed it. But he dropped it on the line and Mackie pounced to knock in his second.

Well players were incensed that referee Steve Conroy didn't award a free-kick, claiming the Dons defenders had fouled Smith, who has been oustanding since he moved to Fir Park.

And he showed the type of form the fans are used to when he made a brilliant point-blank save from Crawford.

Fir Park boss Maurice Malpas is still searching for his first win as gaffer but refused to be downbeat.

He said: "Unlike last week, I don't think we got anything like we deserved.

"There was only one team in it in the first half and unfortunately we made a mistake which cost us a goal. It gave Aberdeen confidence and us a hill to climb.

"The second goal killed it but I'll reserve judgment until I've seen it on video. Still I take 90 minutes of positives from this. I thought we were the better team."

CAPTION(S):

Well beaten: Darren Mackie barges past Stephen Craigan to guide the ball behind Graeme Smith and put Aberdeen in front' Whoops I've Don it again: Mackie celebrates with Russell Anderson after clinching the points for the Dons with his second goal' You Mackie my day: Jamie Smith beams as he gives a well-done hug to Mackie for his super two-goal performance' Three in a woe: Stephen Craigan rues Well's third defeat