Peter Hartley's 94th-minute goal denied Rangers a win at Motherwell, but Steven Gerrard's side still stretched their unbeaten record to 11 matches.

Hartley, who apologised on Friday after saying it was "fun to watch" ex-Rangers defender Fabio Cardoso "weeping" after breaking his nose against Motherwell last term, headed in a stoppage-time corner in a frantic conclusion to a gripping contest.

Gerrard's men had trailed twice, for the first time in his tenure, to goals by Danny Johnson and Carl McHugh.

But a double from Kyle Lafferty - a volley and a header - brought Rangers level, before Ovie Ejaria had put them 3-2 ahead at the end of a stunning opening half.

The two dropped points left Gerrard's side four points behind early Scottish Premiership frontrunners Hearts as they enter another taxing week.

Rangers take a 1-0 lead to Russia for Thursday's second leg of their Europa League play-off tie against Ufa, before the first Old Firm game of the season next Sunday at Celtic Park.

Motherwell's first league point of the season saw them move off the bottom.

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Rangers' defensive solidity unravels

The Rangers rearguard have earned deserved praise for their resolve so far this season, with only four goals conceded in their first 10 competitive games under Gerrard.

But they looked anything but solid in the opening stages here, breached twice inside 18 minutes as Motherwell set about reversing a run of 40 matches since their last league win over Rangers on Boxing Day 2002.

Richard Tait's long ball forward should have been dealt with comfortably, but Connor Goldson - so impressive for Rangers until now - slipped horribly to allow Johnson in to lift the ball left-footed over the advancing Allan McGregor.

Chris Cadden's dangerous ball across the face of the Rangers box might also have found a recipient as the hosts rediscovered some of last season's vigour.

If Goldson's error was unfortunate, the marking for Motherwell's second goal was non-existent. Gael Bigirimana swung in an enticing free-kick but McHugh was given the freedom of Fir Park as he steered a precise header into the far corner.

After a fitful second half punctuated by stoppages, Motherwell laid siege to the Rangers goal in the final 15 minutes, with Hartley heading over and Curtis Main nodding a good chance wide.

Their onslaught paid off in the fourth minute of injury time as Rangers failed to deal with another set-piece.

Elliot Frear's corner from the left eluded everyone and the unmarked Hartley could hardly miss from three yards out.

Lafferty's second coming

Lafferty, given a second full debut for Rangers 10 years after his first, was clearly eager to make an early impression, and his partnership with Alfredo Morelos offered plenty of promise as Motherwell's back three struggled to cope.

An early header forced Trevor Carson into a save, but the Northern Ireland striker didn't have long to wait for the first goal of his second Ibrox spell.

When Hartley's headed clearance fell to him on the edge of the area in the 15th minute, Lafferty showed superb technique to volley it right-footed into the corner, via a deflection off Tait.

His second arrived seven minutes before the interval to restore parity for a second time. This time his movement to the front post eluded Tom Aldred as he buried James Tavernier's superb in-swinging cross with a downward header.

Incredibly, Rangers were in front by half-time. Borna Barisic, who provided a regular supply of ammunition from the left flank, found Ejaria on the edge of the Motherwell penalty area.

The 20-year-old midfielder, on loan from Liverpool, controlled the ball with his first touch before turning and curling an effort towards the right corner. Carson got a hand to it, but the Motherwell keeper could not prevent it bouncing over his line.