A late Collin Samuel goal for Dundee United denied Motherwell manager Terry Butcher a victory in what could be his last match in charge of the Fir Park side.

The former England international, who has been approached to take over at Sydney FC in Australia, appeared to be on course for three points when Jim Hamilton hit home on the hour after Craig Samson had parried his initial penalty.

But Trinidad and Tobago international Samuel signed off before the World Cup with an 86th-minute equaliser to end United's six-game losing streak.

However, Scotland boss Walter Smith could lose Well goalkeeper Graeme Smith for the Kirin Cup in Japan after he was taken off with a first-half injury.

Motherwell could have taken an early lead when Jim Paterson's third-minute corner was punched clear by Samson to the feet of Alan McCormack at the edge of the box, but he fluffed his shot completely and the danger was cleared.

Two minutes later, United went close when Barry Robson crossed from the right and Jim McIntyre stabbed a left-foot effort narrowly wide.

Motherwell threatened again in the 14th when Hamilton tried to catch Samson off his line with a snapshot from 30 yards after hesitancy on the visitors' backline, but the shot drifted wide.

But Well defender Steven Hammell did well to head a dangerous Charlie Mulgrew cross clear in front of goal in 21 minutes under pressure from McIntyre.

United passed up another opportunity in the 24th minute when Robson was played in on the right side of the box, but he dragged a left-foot effort beyond Smith's far post.

Motherwell threatened again on the half-hour mark when David Clarkson squared from the left for Martyn Corrigan, but his effort was blocked under pressure from United defenders Garry Kenneth and David McCracken.

Corrigan was subsequently stretchered off as a result of the clash, with Smith also replaced by Colin Meldrum after picking up an earlier knock.

United came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute when McIntyre crossed from the right and Lee Miller sent a header crashing off the crossbar.

Mulgrew had a chance to open for the visitors a minute after the break, when Robson's free-kick was cleared to the feet of the wing-back but he fired over.

Paterson was sent clear on the left by Jim Hamilton, after fine work from David Clarkson in the 53rd minute.

But the defender selfishly tried a shot which flew wide, with Hamilton and Kevin McBride waiting for the cross.

United took the lead in the 60th minute when Mulgrew hauled down Paul Quinn in the box and referee Stuart Dougal awarded a penalty.

Hamilton's spot-kick was brilliantly pushed onto the post by Samson, before rolling back across the face of goal, but Paterson raced in to knock the loose ball square for Hamilton to stab home.

United almost hit back on 62 minutes when Robson tried an ambitious 30-yard curling effort which almost dipped into Meldrum's top corner.

United player-manager Craig Brewster replaced David Fernandez with Samuel in the 64th minute.

Motherwell should have doubled their lead after 77 minutes following great work from Clarkson, which saw him slip Paterson clear on the left of the box, but his shot was saved by the legs of Samson.

For United, Stuart Duff fed William Easton on the left and Miller was unable to reach the substitute's dangerous ball across goal.

But United did draw level four minutes from the end when Robson's flick-on sent Samuel clear and he fired a right-foot effort beyond Meldrum.

Teams:

Motherwell Graeme Smith (Meldrum 32),Kinniburgh (Robert Donnelly 55), McLean, Paul Quinn,Corrigan (McBride 34), McCormack, O'Donnell, Hammell, Paterson,Clarkson, Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Kerr, McGarry, Fitzpatrick, Reynolds.

Booked: Paul Quinn, McBride.

Goals: Hamilton 60.

Dundee Utd Samson, Duff, Kenneth, McCracken, Gardiner,McIntyre (Goodwillie 73), Cameron, Mulgrew (Easton 72), Robson,Miller, Fernandez (Samuel 64).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Robertson, Abbot, Watson.

Booked: Duff.

Goals: Samuel 86.

Att: 5,269

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).