SCOTT McDONALD is focused on keeping Motherwell in the Premiership after his recent red card was overturned yesterday.

The Australian striker was dismissed by referee Brian Colvin during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at St Mirren for seemingly elbowing Buddies forward Thomas Reilly.

As well as contributing to a frustrating day in Paisley, the ordering off also meant McDonald would miss out on Motherwell's next two games including the first leg of the crucial Premiership play-off final.

The Fir Park club submitted an appeal to the SFA on Monday and after appearing at Hampden yesterday in front of a judicial panel, the striker's red was reduced to a yellow, clearing him for the end-of-season run-in.

McDonald said: "I'll be honest, I've been devastated since it happened. I couldn't believe the ref brandished the red card, as I genuinely didn't think I had made any contact.

"The officials made a decision and I was angry with them at the time. I know they've only got a split second to make the call but I'm glad they've seen it for what it really was.

"All my focus is now on trying everything I can to keep Motherwell in the SPFL Premiership."

It will come as a relief to the club as they prepare for the all-important double header against either Rangers or Hibernian.

McDonald's impact on the team since his arrival in February has been clear with his absence in the first leg of the play-off heralded as a disaster by many of the club's support.

General Manager Alan Burrows added: "I would like to once again thank the Compliance Officer Tony McGlennan and his staff for arranging the hearing so swiftly along with the members of the panel who sat and considered our case.

"It's another satisfying conclusion, similar to our McManus appeal last January and Scott can now fully focus on some big games for the club over the next 10 days."