A controversial penalty in injury time gave Motherwell a point they never seemed likely to take.

A clash between Paul Bernard and Ged Brannan at the corner of the penalty box had the referee pointing to the spot amid furious protests from the Dons.

'Well captain Shaun Teale calmly stroked the spot-kick beyond Derek Stillie, who had been a hero for Dons, to make it 1-1.

Until that dramatic equaliser Dons looked to be heading back north with all three points and a fifth place in the table secure thanks to a piece of opportunism from Robbie Winters.

Having sustained intense pressure from the home side, the Dons' marksman popped up after 59 minutes with a speculative overhead kick from eight yards which left Andy Goram rooted to the spot to put the Dons in front.

That strike was also contested with Motherwell players claiming that Winters was in an offside position, but despite their pleas, the goal stood.

It was a bit unfair on Motherwell who after an uneventful first quarter to the game, started to dominate and press Aberdeen into rearguard action.

John Spencer was involved in everything and particularly a series of long-range shots which tested the Aberdeen keeper.

Having had an outstanding match the one blemish on Stillie's record came after 32 minutes when his poor clearance landed at the feet of Greg Miller.

The home striker, making his first start, hurried his attempt on the open goal and the chance went begging.

Then just before half time a powerful strike from Spencer was partially blocked by the keeper and as Eddie May tried to force home the rebound, Stillie managed to deflect the ball beyond the post and keep his goal intact.

The second half followed a similar pattern with any efforts on goal by the home side denied by Stillie.

On occasions the keeper looked unconvincing and he raced from his line to push a Brannan free-kick for a corner. Typically Stillie made amends with a resultant corner found May in a good position but his shot from six yards was smothered by the keeper.

Aberdeen, who showed little in attack after an early chance fell to Eoin Jess whose header from four yards went straight to the keeper, posted warnings of their intention.

Jess fed a decisive pass behind the home defence for Winter to turn and smack the ball beyond Goram and into the net. But on this occasion the linesman's raised flag did indicate offside.

After Winters got his name on the scoresheet, the Dons took some confidence and should have secured all three points eight minutes from time.

Jess swung the corner on to the goalline where Goram punched the ball to the edge of the box only to watch as German midfielder Andreas Mayer unleashed a volley which rattled the keeper's left-hand post before bouncing into play.

Aberdeen were not to be denied their own slice of luck when with only four minutes remaining Motherwell threw themselves forward in a brave bid to take something.

From point-blank range Spencer smashed in a drive which Stillie deflected onto his crossbar then watched as the ball bounced down along the line and behind for a corner.

The keeper's luck along with Dons seemed to be holding for 90 minutes until the referee awarded that controversial penalty which gave Motherwell a point they probably deserved.

Teams

Motherwell: Goram, Doesburg, Teale, Thomas (Adams 74), McMillan, Gower (Nevin 53), Valakari, Brannan, Spencer,Miller (Nicholas 53), May.

Subs Not Used: Bannister, McGowan.

Goals: Teale 90 pen.

Aberdeen: Stillie, Perry, Smith, Whyte, Dow, Young (Hart 84), Mayer, Bernard, Wyness, Jess (Anderson 89), Winters (Newell 73).

Subs Not Used: Leighton, Notman.

Goals: Winters 59.

Att: 6,963

Ref: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).