Motherwell 3-3 Rangers: Peter Hartley rescues point for hosts

Peter Hartley had the last laugh over Rangers as the Motherwell skipper’s 94th-minute equaliser sealed a 3-3 draw at Fir Park.

The defender had been forced to issue an apology on Thursday after mocking former Gers defender Fabio Cardoso and the broken nose he suffered in a tussle with Well frontman Ryan Bowman last term.

But it was Hartley who grabbed the injury-time equaliser as the Light Blues threw away victory for the second time in three Ladbrokes Premiership games.

Motherwell’s Peter Hartley (R) scores in stoppage time to rescue a point against Rangers

Hartley (R) celebrates his late equaliser against Rangers on Sunday with Chris Cadden 

Hartley (R) celebrates his late equaliser against Rangers on Sunday with Chris Cadden 

Steven Gerrard looks dejected during the league match between Motherwell and Rangers

Steven Gerrard looks dejected during the league match between Motherwell and Rangers

Rangers' Ovie Ejaria scores to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match on Sunday

Rangers’ Ovie Ejaria scores to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match on Sunday

Ejaria curled ball towards goal and it went in after keeper Trevor Carson failed to keep it out

Ejaria curled ball towards goal and it went in after keeper Trevor Carson failed to keep it out

Rangers manager Gerrard celebrates his side's third goal on the touchline on Sunday 

Rangers manager Gerrard celebrates his side’s third goal on the touchline on Sunday 

MATCH FACTS

Motherwell: Carson, Aldred, McHugh, Hartley, Cadden, Bigirimana, Campbell (Frear 75), Rose (Bowman 84), Tait, Main, Johnson (Sammon 75)

Subs not used: Taylor-Sinclair, Gillespie, Gorrin, Turnbull

Rangers: McGregor, Flanagan, Goldson, Katic, Barisic (Middleton 78), Tavernier, Jack, Ejaria (Wallace 94), Halliday (Arfield 68), Morelos, Lafferty

Subs not used: Sadiq, Foderingham, Kent, Candeias

Attendance: 9,545

Referee: Craig Thomson

Rangers found themselves behind for the first time under Steven Gerrard as Danny Johnson opened the scoring early, but they fought back twice with goals from Kyle Lafferty after Carl McHugh had also struck for the hosts.

It looked like Ovie Ejaria’s goal just before the break would send Rangers on their 4,600-mile Europa League round trip to Ufa on Thursday in confident mood – only for Hartley to pounce with the last kick of the game.

With next week’s Old Firm battle in mind, Gerrard took the chance to road-test a 3-5-2 formation as Jon Flanagan joined Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic in a new-look three-man back line.

As well as Lafferty’s reintroduction to the starting XI, Borna Barisic and Andy Halliday also came back in while the hosts made changes to as Allan Campbell and Chris Cadden were welcomed back by Stephen Robinson.

Motherwell's Danny Johnson opens the scoring in 3rd minute of the league clash on Sunday

Motherwell’s Danny Johnson opens the scoring in 3rd minute of the league clash on Sunday

Johnson celebrates his opening goal against Rangers in the Premiership encounter on Sunday

Johnson celebrates his opening goal against Rangers in the Premiership encounter on Sunday

Johnson is surrounded by his Motherwell team-mates after breaking the deadlock early on

Johnson is surrounded by his Motherwell team-mates after breaking the deadlock early on

The Gers defence has functioned so well this term that they had not spent a single second behind all season but it took just three minutes for that to change as Johnson struck.

Cadden’s ball over the top looked destined for Goldson’s head only for the defender to slip on the greasy surface at the vital moment. To make matters worse, Allan McGregor’s footing also went from underneath him and forward Johnson took advantage as he lobbed the ball over the stranded goalkeeper into an empty net.

That teed up a breathless start with chances aplenty at either end but it was Rangers who levelled on 16 minutes as Lafferty struck.

Rangers' Kyle Lafferty scores from the edge of the box in the 15th minute to make it 1-1 in game

Rangers’ Kyle Lafferty scores from the edge of the box in the 15th minute to make it 1-1 in game

Lafferty of Rangers celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal of the clash on Sunday

Lafferty of Rangers celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal of the clash on Sunday

Hartley could only clear a Barisic cross to the edge of the box, where the Northern Irish striker was lurking to slam past his compatriot Trevor Carson with the aid of a big deflection off Richard Tait.

Yet Rangers were behind again within minutes as Katic failed to track McHugh as Gael Bigirimana lined-up a free-kick from deep, leaving the Irishman to loop a header over McGregor.

But the hosts were also guilty of switching off in defence and paid the price when Rangers hit back again on 38 minutes. Tom Aldred did not spot Lafferty cutting across him as James Tavernier collected a quick throw and was powerless to stop the big frontman nodding home.

Motherwell's Carl McHugh restores the hosts lead with a header from a free-kick in first half

Motherwell’s Carl McHugh restores the hosts lead with a header from a free-kick in first half

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson celebrates McHugh's goal on the touchline

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson celebrates McHugh’s goal on the touchline

Rangers were ahead two minutes before half-time as they broke with lightning speed from a Well corner. Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack and Barisic all combined as the visitors flooded forward but Carson should have done much better than allow Ejaria’s strike to dribble into the net.

If the first period had been action-packed, the second was a quieter affair but no less compelling.

Motherwell piled forward in the final stages looking for an equaliser. Hartley and Curtis Main both came close as they cranked up the pressure.

Gerrard threw on Lee Wallace for the final corner of the game but the former Rangers skipper could not stop Hartley ramming home from Bigirimana’s delivery.

Rangers' Lafferty scores a header in the 38th minute of the league encounter to equalise 

Rangers’ Lafferty scores a header in the 38th minute of the league encounter to equalise 

Lafferty celebrates his and Rangers second goal of the match at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon

Lafferty celebrates his and Rangers second goal of the match at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon

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