Aberdeen squandered a two-goal lead against one of their rivals for a top-six finish in the Bank of Scotland Premier League as Motherwell fought back to secure a valuable draw at Pittodrie.

The Dons raced into the lead thanks to two first half goals from Steve Lovell, who pounced on Colin Meldrum's block from Chris Clark's drive before the 25-year-old old then volleyed in Jamie Smith's cross after a flick from Alexander Diamond.

But Motherwell responded with a Brian McLean goal in first half injury time before three minutes into the second period Richie Foran scored a penalty after Gary Dempsey's foul on Steven Hammell.

The Steelmen created the first chance of the afternoon in the 11th minute when Foran's dipping left-footed strike from 25 yards had to be pushed over the crossbar by Jamie Langfield.

Three minutes later Aberdeen took the lead when Lovell was on hand to grab his first goal of the afternoon.

Clark drove a powerful effort towards goal when the ball broke to him on the edge of the penalty area and after Meldrum could only push his block as far as Lovell the former Dundee striker supplied a clean finish to break the deadlock.

Prior to his goal against Livingston seven days ago Lovell had scored only once in 18 outings but the Amersham-born forward has found his scoring touch at a crucial time, shown when he grabbed a second eight minutes later.

Smith's drive from distance was parried for a corner by Meldrum and from Ferne Snoyl's delivery the ball broke to Smith who flighted a cross into the area where Diamond's flick allowed Lovell to hook the ball past Meldrum for his seventh goal of the season.

But despite having scored twice in a productive opening period Aberdeen continued to find it difficult to find a way behind a resolute Motherwell backline and in the second minute of first half injury time the visitor's hauled themselves back int contention when McLean turned in Hammell's free-kick at the back post.

Motherwell started the second half well and when Foran slipped the attentions of Lovell from Hammell's low corner, Langfield was forced into producing a magnificent save to keep his side in the lead.

However, the advantage lasted a matter of a few more seconds as when Dempsey tried to recover from taking a heavy touch in the penalty area the midfielder inadvertently brought down Hammell to concede a penalty.

Foran took on the responsibility from 12 yards and dispatched his effort low into the right-hand corner of the goal, marginally eluding the valiant dive of Langfield.

The Dons tried to respond through Smith in the 58th minute but when presented with the opportunity to hit the target from the edge of the area the twice-capped Scotland player sliced his effort high and wide.

With only five minutes remaining Lovell ambitiously attempted to claim his hat-trick with a half-volley from 30 yards but it swerved well wide.

That was the last of the action and with Inverness recording an impressive victory at Hibernian this draw means Aberdeen slip into seventh place in the standings, one point behind the Highlanders, with the two teams set to meet at Caledonian Stadium next week.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield, McNaughton, Anderson, Diamond, Smith,Dempsey, Severin, Clark, Snoyl (Mackie 80), Lovell,Crawford (Foster 30).

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Considine, Macauley, MacFarlane, Griffin.

Booked: Lovell.

Goals: Lovell 14, 22.

Motherwell Meldrum, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean (Kinniburgh 83),Hammell, McBride (Paterson 90), Kerr, McCormack, O'Donnell,Foran, McDonald (Clarkson 79).

Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Leitch, Hamilton, Paul Quinn.

Booked: Hammell, Craigan, McDonald.

Goals: McLean 45, Foran 49 pen.

Att: 10,212

Ref: C Murray (Scotland).