Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough has said that they will appeal Scott McDonald's three-match ban after the striker was sent off in their 2-1 loss to St Mirren.

The result means that Motherwell will finish 11th in the Scottish Premiership and will need to win a two-legged playoff against a Scottish Championship club to stay in the top flight.

McDonald, who has scored five goals since joining the club at the end of February, will miss the playoff matches if his red card is not rescinded.

"For me, that would be a travesty because it's a poor, poor decision," Baraclough told reporters.

"I've seen it back time and time again. He's not made contact, there's no maliciousness to go and make contact and I think when the officials see it they' ll agree. It's a massive call at a big time in the season and we will appeal. It won't be a frivolous appeal either.

"Scott is distraught, angry and has every right to be. He was expecting a challenge from behind and he's gone to hold the man off. That's been deemed as throwing an elbow. To miss Scott would be a blow but it wouldn't be the end of the world. If the appeal isn't successful someone has to step up to the plate."

McDonald was sent off for an apparent elbow on St Mirren striker Thomas Reilly.