After recovering from a two-goal half-time deficit, the Gers responded in the second period to get back on level terms through two Youssef Chermiti goals before Emmanuel Longelo struck in stoppage time to see the away side claim the points.
The Gers were back on the pitch for the first time in a fortnight as the post-split fixtures got underway. Danny Röhl named two changes to the side that were victorious over Falkirk in their last outing two weeks ago, with Dujon Sterling and Bojan Miovski coming in from the off.
It was a lively start in front of an Ibrox faithful waiting in anticipation. A long Emmanuel Fernandez ball was brought down by Youssef Chermiti at the second attempt, with the Portuguese frontman’s pass resulting in a free kick in a promising area for the hosts. Thelo Aasgaard stepped up but sent his effort over the top of Calum Ward’s crossbar.
After a frantic start, both sides started to settle and enjoy their share of early possession. Neither goalkeeper was tested in the opening eight minutes, but there was a slight moment of hesitation and concern for Nasser Djiga in the Gers backline, who looked to have lost possession momentarily to Callum Slattery as the last man before recovering well to divert any danger.
The home side were probing but to no real avail as they pressed for an opener. Often profiting from winning the ball high, it was Aasgaard who sent in a ball into the box seeking out Nico Raskin, but the Belgian’s header looped over the far post, leaving Ward untroubled.
However, in their first attack of real intent, it was the away side who took the lead at Ibrox. Slattery’s clever turn and use of the ball in midfield fed Lukas Fadinger, who sent Stephen O’Donnell down the left. The full-back returned by playing in the number 12 as Fadinger finished well beyond Jack Butland on his left side to put the visitors ahead.
Rangers looked for a quick response after a foul on Djeidi Gassama just outside the area. The ball was laid off to Aasgaard, who fired it amongst the bodies as Motherwell put several players on the line to block the shot and divert it past their own post.
It was Jens Berthel Askou’s men who grew in confidence having found the opener. Confidently keeping possession in the middle of the park, they probed and threatened to pull further ahead in the contest after building on their opener.
That moment then arrived as the away side doubled their lead. Working the ball down the right, Thomas Sparrow’s right-footed delivery rolled right across the box, which allowed Emmanuel Longelo to arrive and tap home at the back post into the net.
Rangers looked for a response, having found themselves two goals behind for the second match running. Limited to little clear-cut openings, a set-piece opportunity presented itself on the second phase, the cross from the left fell to Jayden Meghoma, but the full-back's effort looped onto the roof of the net.
The ball just kept on breaking for Youssef Chermiti as the forward looked to drag his side back into the contest. Constantly running and profiting from several challenges, he made his way into the area and looked to place one into the far corner, but O’Donnell was there on the far side to make a vital block.
A triple change was to follow at the break, and the hosts looked to claw back a two-goal deficit. A trio of captain James Tavernier, Mohamed Diomande and Mikey Moore were introduced to try swing things in their favour in Govan.
The Light Blues were on the ascendancy from the off in a positive start to the second period. Patiently working the ball from left to right in the final third, it was Gassama’s clipped cross that caused a moment of uncertainty; however, it evaded everyone, clipping the top of the bar on the way out.
Thereafter, Rangers got their rewards for a fast second-half start. A pass through from half-time sub Diomande saw Chermiti latch onto it. Paul McGinn did his best to divert the striker, who latched onto the loose ball and slid it beyond Ward to halve the deficit.
Ibrox got a lift from that point as the crowd was up. Moore moved the ball infield to Aasgaard, who acknowledged Tavernier on the overlap, but the captain slipped at the decisive moment as his effort was comfortably claimed by Ward in the Well goal.
After a stop-start period in the contest, the home side thought they were going to have an equaliser to cheer. After good play from several players, it was Aasgaard’s decisive pass that was dummied by Raskin, but Chermiti couldn’t keep the effort down as he looked to place one into the corner for his second of the day.
That moment did arrive for the 21-year-old to set up a thrilling 20-minute finale at Ibrox. A long corner was met by the head of Fernandez to send the ball across the box, as the striker met it at the back post to scramble it over the line with perhaps the assistance of teammate Raskin to get his team level.
Moore was driving his team in search of a decisive fifth goal on the day. The man on loan from Spurs carried the ball well over 30 yards down the left and sent one in with the outside of his right boot, but Aasgaard, coming onto it, could only bundle the bouncing ball over the top.
As both teams were pushed for a late equaliser, it was the away side who struck in stoppage time. Rangers went close at one end as Motherwell broke. O’Donnell carried the ball forward and used Longelo to his left, the winger cut in on his right, and his effort deflected off Djiga beyond Butland to fire the away side ahead in stoppage time.
RANGERS: Butland, Sterling (Aarons, 77), Djiga, Fernandez, Meghoma (Tavernier, 45), Raskin, Chukwuani (Diomande, 45), Aasgaard (Barron, 86), Gassama, Miovski (Moore, 45), Chermiti
SUBS: Kelly, Souttar, Skov Olsen, Antman
MOTHERWELL: Ward, O’Donnell, Sparrow (Gordon, 90+1), Slattery (Hendry, 90+1), Fadinger, McGinn, Maswanhise (Charles-Cook, 72), Watt, Just (Said, 72), Longelo, Welsh (McGhee, 55)
SUBS: Connelly, Nicholson, Priestman, Ross