Mika Biereth made his long-awaited first start for Motherwell at the weekend, performing well despite defeat for his loan side.

After three months, four substitute appearances, and five direct goal contributions, Arsenal loanee Mika Biereth finally found himself in the Motherwell starting lineup against Kilmarnock FC on Saturday.

Biereth had been used sparingly up until last weekend due to a significant injury sustained in his second appearance for Motherwell.

The striker was initially ruled out for three months, but he returned to action in just over two, impressing with a couple of goals in a couple of games.

That form earned him Saturday’s start in Motherwell’s Scottish Premiership match.

For the most part, Biereth’s performance seemed to go well. He had a couple of shots, created a chance, won four of his four ground duels and three free-kicks for his team, as well as completing his only attempted dribble.

When Biereth was substituted in the second half, one Motherwell fan complained that they’d taken off their “only striker who is capable of scoring”.

But it was his first league appearance for Motherwell without a goal, and Kilmarnock ended up winning the game 1-0, so it wasn’t all good news.

With three goals and two assists in five appearances (three goals in four league games) and having now proven his fitness to play at least 72 minutes, Biereth should be in with a shot at nailing down a starting spot now.

But the Denmark u21 international will want to get his first goal in a start as soon as possible, to avoid being labelled a super-sub.

Motherwell travel to St. Johnstone on Tuesday at 19:45 GMT.