Substitute Amadou Konte edged Hibernian closer to the UEFA Cup next season with a last-gasp equaliser at Motherwell.

Fir Park captain Stephen Craigan opened the scoring for the home side in the 16th minute against an under-par Edinburgh side.

Then, four minutes after the interval, the Northern Ireland international grabbed his second to put Well in control.

But Gary Caldwell curled home a superb free-kick 10 minutes from time to give Tony Mowbray's side a lifeline.

Then, in the final minute of the game, Konte slid home the equaliser in front of the ecstatic visiting fans.

Hibs could have been celebrating European football if Garry O'Connor had converted a 63rd-minute spot-kick after Craigan fouled Dean Shiels.

But the Scotland international found Well goalkeeper Gordon Marshall in fine form and the veteran saved well.

Despite missing Steven Hammell, Kevin McBride, Phil O'Donnell and Scott Leitch, Motherwell were the first to mount an attack.

Ian Murray's misjudgement of cross-field ball in the second minute allowed Martyn Corrigan to arrive at the back post unmarked and Simon Brown scrambled his low shot away for a corner with his legs.

After several minutes of patient possession, Hibs striker Derek Riordan swung a beautiful cross in from the left which O'Connor just failed to direct on target.

But, in the 10th minute, Marc Fitzpatrick blasted a volley over the bar for Well after Scott Brown's elaborate flick gifted the home side possession on the edge of his own box.

Scott Brown, normally such a clever distributor, was having a terrible time and, from his misplaced pass, Motherwell broke away and earned a corner.

Brian Kerr's inswinger was flicked on inadvertently by a Hibs defender at the front post and defender Craigan lashed home the first goal of the game in the 16th minute.

It was only Craigan's second league goal for Motherwell, the first coincidentally coming against Hibs at Fir Park in February this year.

The visitors almost got back on level terms 12 minutes later in spectacular fashion when Steven Whittaker romped forward from right-back to unleash a magnificent volley which Marshall turned onto the post and away to safety.

Hibs were now dominating the game and Riordan flashed a shot wide of Marshall's right-hand post just after the half-hour mark with the former Celtic man totally beaten.

Mowbray's men kept up their search for an equaliser before the break, but Motherwell's defence held firm to go into half-time with the advantage.

Mowbray reacted to his side's poor first-half performance by replacing defender Gary Smith with Guillaume Beuzelin, making his first appearance since March 12 after an ankle problem.

Well boss Terry Butcher also made a change at the interval when central defender William Kinniburgh came on for David Partridge.

Craigan grabbed his second of the game - and his third league goal against Hibs - in very similar fashion in the 49th minute.

Kerr again swung in a corner from the right and the Northern Ireland centre-half planted a firm header past Simon Brown from 14 yards out.

It was nearly even worse for the Leith outfit four minutes when Scott McDonald lashed a curling volley just wide of Simon Brown's goal.

But Mowbray made another switch in the 57th minute when Riordan was taken off and Konte entered the fray.

Hibs were given a lifeline on 63 as Craigan turned from hero to villain when he brought down Shiels and referee Craig Mackay pointed to the spot.

O'Connor stepped up to take the penalty but his spot-kick lacked conviction and Marshall dived to his left to comfortably touch it over the bar.

The home keeper had to be on his toes two minutes later to keep out Konte's smart turn-and-shot inside the box.

Mowbray played his final card on 67 when he withdrew Antonio Murray for Ivan Sproule, who appeared lucky to stay on the pitch in the 80th minute when he clashed with Paul Quinn, both players receiving yellow cards.

A minute later, Mowbray's side were back in the game when Scotland defender Caldwell curled a superb 25-yard free-kick past the stranded Marshall.

Hibs frantically searched for a leveller but could in fact have lost a third when Jim Hamilton's fine volley arrowed just past the post.

But the equaliser did come when Beuzelin escaped down the right and his cross was swept home at the second attempt in the 90th minute by Konte as he lay stretched out on the Fir Park turf.

Teams

Motherwell Marshall, Paul Quinn, Craigan, Partridge (Kinniburgh 45), Fagan, Kerr, Corrigan, Fitzpatrick, Foran (Paterson 82), Scott McDonald (Clarkson 86), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Corr, Higgins, Keogh.

Booked: Paul Quinn.

Goals: Craigan 16, 49.

Hibernian Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith (Beuzelin 45), Ian Murray, Scott Brown, Antonio Murray (Sproule 68), Shiels, Glass, Riordan (Konte 57), O'Connor.

Subs Not Used: Morrow, McDonald, Hogg, Alistair Brown.

Booked: Sproule.

Goals: Caldwell 81, Konte 90.

Att: 8,903

Ref: C Mackay (Scotland).