The game began tentatively as both sides struggled to find any touch in the early stages. Motherwell did look the more likely with a couple of probing balls into the box finding no takers.
Motherwell had the first effort on goal after 10 minutes wit Scott McDonald bending a shot wide from a David Clarkson knock-down. Well were beginning to dominate possession and only their final ball into the box prevented them from taking a deserved lead.
They did manage to produce a number of long-range efforts from William Kinniburgh, Clarkson and Richie Foran, but none of them troubled Tony Bullock in the visitors' goal. All United had to show for their first efforts at this stage was a wild Mark Wilson free-kick.
Unbelievably United took the lead in stoppage time added on for treatment to their keeper during the half. A long ball was missed by Stephen Craigan and as the ball bounced in the Well box, Steven Hammell slipped, leaving James Grady the easiest of chances to smash the ball past the unguarded Gordon Marshall.
United could have made great strides to put the game beyond Well, but Jim McIntyre sent his header over when it looked easier to score.
United were made to pay for this as Well struck back almost immediately with McDonald heading past Bullock, and two minutes later Clarkson was on hand to bundle the ball home after Bullock could only parry a Kevin McBride shot.
The keeper was replaced afte 61 minutes due to his first half injury, with Canadian Lars Hirschfeld making his debut. United were quickly back on level terms whe Jim McIntyre volleyed a Chris Innes knock down high past Marshall from 12 yards.
Well bounced back immediately and were ahead once again when McDonald burst through the United defence to poke the ball past the keeper.
The points were only wrapped up in stoppage time. Jamie Paterson picked up a loose ball in midfield and released Clarkson on the left, and his cross was powered home by an Alex Burns diving header to give the home side three deserved points.