Rangers' Fir Park hoodoo came back to haunt them as they fell three points behind arch-rivals Celtic at the top of the SPL.
An early goal from Shota Arveladze looked likely to pave the way for their first win there in two-and-a-half years but Motherwell stormed back to claim a well deserved point and climb to sixth place in the table.
There was no inkling of what was to come as Rangers immediately laid siege to the home goal. Danish winger Peter Lovenkrands tested keeper Gordon Marshall after barely 80 seconds and within the opening seven minutes, midfielder Mikel Arteta also saw a penalty claim turned down.
Despite Rangers' almost total domination the first real chance fell to Motherwell youngster Steven Craig who curled his finish wide after the ball had spun off Gers defender Craig Moore.
Craig's miss was heavily punished just four minutes later when Zurab Khizanishvili found fellow Georgian Arveladze who lofted the ball delicately over Gordon Marshall from 12 yards.
Motherwell pulled level in the 25th minute when Henning Berg was deceived by Keith Lasley's cross allowing Stephen Pearson to step in and squeeze his shot high into the net after being forced wide by keeper Stefan Klos.
The home side were suddenly growing in confidence and defender Stephen Craigan hit the side netting with a header. But Rangers took control again before half-time and Dutchman Michael Mols wasted two terrific chances to put his team back in front, with Marshall also pulling off an acrobatic save from Arteta's free-kick.
Arteta went even closer at the start of the second period when the crossbar rescued Motherwell. Craigan then made a crucial goal line clearance although Mols should have done better from Fernando Ricksen's cutback.
But Motherwell were still very much in the contest and Craig and Lasley both missed clear cut scoring opportunities before Klos twice proved his worth to Rangers with wonder saves to deny Lasley and David Clarkson.