Owen Coyle scored a dramatic equaliser to deny Hibs their first victory in eight matches.

The Republic of Ireland striker took full advantage when goalkeeper Olafur Gottskalksson dropped a 25-yard drive from Kevin Christie.

Coyle has made a good living from snapping up such chances and made no mistake to the home support's disbelief.

Hibs, who went into the match on the back of seven successive league defeats, appeared to have stopped the rot when Darren Dods put them ahead after 75 minutes.

But Coyle's late strike increased the gloom over Easter Road and the fans were quick to show their disapproval at the end, jeering the team as they headed for the tunnel.

Motherwell went into the match without experienced central defender Brian Martin, who was suffering from a foot injury, and nearly went behind after just five minutes.

Tony Rougier swept in a cross from the left and Dods got away from his marker only to see his header come back off the post.

Motherwell always looked dangerous on the counter-attack and John Hendry was narrowly off-target after Steve McMillan had floated in a cross.

Hibs continued to dictate the pace and Barry Lavety got away from his marker as Chic Charnley floated in a free kick. But his header was poor, going over the crossbar.

Hibs, who started the season brightly, were again inches from a breakthrough when goalkeeper Steve Woods did well to palm away a header from John Hughes after Rougier had sent in a corner.

Then Charnley knocked the ball wide after Lavety had taken the ball across the box as Hibs kept up the pressure.

Motherwell suffered a blow just before the break when striker Tommy Coyne was hurt in a clash with the Hibs goalkeeper and lasted only four minutes of the second half before being replaced by Dougie Arnott.

The Fir Park side had to rely on wily Coyle, who released Hendry only for keeper Gottskalksson to come out and block his shot.

Motherwell defender Steve Craigan cleared the ball off the line after Rougier's shot had been beaten away by Woods, but Hibs finally made the breakthrough with 15 minutes to go.

Rougier's corner had caused Motherwell all sorts of problems and Dods met his inswinging effort emphatically, his header clipping the underside of the crossbar before going into the net.

It was his first goal of the season and seemed enough to give Hibs the points.

But Motherwell, who have shown their fighting spirit this season with good results against the Old Firm, refused to lie down and got their dramatic equaliser through Coyle to gain a point for their efforts.

Hibernian: Gottskalksson, Tosh, Boco, Dods, Hughes, Charnley (Larusson 56), Dow, Lavety (Miller 63), Crawford, Rougier, McGinlay.

Subs Not Used: Harper.

Goals: Dods 75.

Motherwell: Woods, May, McMillan, Christie, Craigan (Ross 70), Philliben, Hendry, Valikarri (McCulloch 81), Coyne (Arnott 49), McSkimming, Coyle.

Booked: Craigan, McSkimming. Goals: Coyle 90.

Att: 9,999

Ref: S Roy (Westhill).