After a woeful first-half performance, Dundee United will be bitterly disappointed that they did not win this game against a rejuvenated Motherwell.
Fielding an uncharacteristic line-up, it was no surprise that the visitors took a shock lead in the third minute. Steven Hammell's corner was flicked on by Dirk Lehmann and with the United defence looking static, Stephen Pearson nipped in to rifle the ball high into the net from three yards.
This clearly unsettled the hosts. It really should have been two seven minutes later. With Derek Adams looking five yards offside, his shot was brilliantly blocked by Paul Gallacher at point-blank range.
With the fillip of the goal and having the man advantage in midfield, the Steelmen were enjoying the balance of play spreading the ball with confidence. Again with United's defence all at sea, the unmarked Lehmann had a glorious opportunity in the 30th minute. James McFadden crossed from the left, but the German could not find sufficient power in his header.
As the match continued to flow towards United's goal, McFadden produced some magic on the right flank five minutes from half time and curled a tremendous shot from 25 yards only inches wide.
Having watched his side toil in the first period, making innumerable errors, manager Alex Smith made two substitutions at the break. His decision was rewarded with a goal in the 47th minute. Allan Smart's cross from the right by-line was volleyed down from 14 yards by Jim McIntyre and over the head of Stevie Woods.
With new-found confidence, United were flying and five minutes later Smart cracked the woodwork from six yards with a terrific volley from Steven Thompson's cross and only the brilliance of Woods stopped the same player's diving header in the 67th minute.
The woodwork again helped Well when Thompson hit the base of a post in the 70th minute. The Scotland striker had powered his way past Martyn Corrigan and drilled a low angular shot which left Woods rooted.
The Terrors continued to throw everyone forward in search of the elusive winner, however the Well defence, with ex-United man David Partridge in an uncharitable mood, hung on to claim a point