Rangers took the game to Motherwell in the early stages and home keeper Graeme Smith had to look sharp to keep out long-range shots from Kyle Lafferty and Kris Boyd.
But the first serious effort on goal came at the other end when Keith Lasley cut in from the left and hit a right-footed shot which was saved at the second attempt by Allan McGregor.
The game was flowing from end to end with two sides committed to attack but having said that for long spells chances were at a premium.
Rangers did create a real opening just after the half-hour mark when Kenny Miller played a square ball to Barry Ferguson. But the returning skipper saw his first effort blocked by Steven Hammell and a second on the rebound saved by Smith.
The visitors were unlucky not to be ahead by the break with Miller missing a couple of great chances. He latched onto a Boyd flick but his hesitation allowed Smith to save and he then hit a volley at the hands of the Well keeper.
Having survived to the break the home side came out looking for the opener after the restart. Paul Quinn released Chris Porter but the Englishman's shot on the turn was tipped over by McGregor.
Rangers responded with two strong runs from Lafferty but his shot from the first was comfortably saved while the second was woefully off target.
It wasn't all one-way traffic though and McGregor had to be at his international best to keep the scoreline level not long afterwards.
It looked as if Stephen Hughes' bending shot from the edge of the box was going into the top corner but the keeper somehow got a fingertip to push the ball over the bar.
In stoppage time defender Madjid Bougherra tried to push his side forward but his cross from the right was tamely struck wide by the heel of a hapless Boyd.
Even deeper into stoppage time McGregor had to be quick off his line to hack away under pressure from Sutton.
At the final whistle both sides will have mixed emotions at taking a point from a game where they created enough chances to take all three.