Gers boss Walter Smith made wholesale changes to the line-up that defeated East Fife on Wednesday, with only Carlos Cuellar, Steven Whittaker and Kris Boyd remaining from the side that won 4-0 in the CIS Cup.
However, despite the return of a number of star performers, Rangers started in sluggish fashion and it was little surprise when they went behind in the 23rd minute.
Chris Porter, who had returned to the Well starting line-up in their own midweek cup win over fellow top-flight opposition Hibernian, collected a pinpoint pass from David Clarkson before coolly firing home his fifth goal of the season.
Clarkson had picked out the former Oldham Athletic hitman in behind David Weir and he showed great composure in tucking the ball under goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
Motherwell boss Mark McGhee had unsurprisingly kept faith with the same side that had overcome Hibs by a 4-2 scoreline at Easter Road.
However, Rangers responded immediately when Scotland international Lee McCulloch - playing against his first club - saw a 25th minute shot strike the crossbar after taking a deflection off Stephen Hughes.
At the other end, Ross McCormack was inches away from doubling the advantage when his free-kick cannoned away off the crossbar with McGregor beaten.
Central defender Cuellar was next to be denied by the woodwork when his header was deflected onto the bar by the busy Hughes.
Smith sent on Jean-Claude Darcheville at the start of the second half and the change had the desired effect as the Gers pulled level in the 68th minute.
DaMarcus Beasley was felled in the box by Keith Lasley and Boyd slotted home the penalty kick.
In the closing stages of the match neither side managed to recapture their earlier attacking fluency and a point apiece was probably a fair reflection on a closely-fought encounter.