Motherwell gift-wrapped a point to Kilmarnock just before Christmas as the Ayrshire side fought back from two goals and a man down to draw at Fir Park.
That denied Motherwell their first home win since August on a disappointing evening for the Lanarkshire side.
Kevin van Veen scored one and had a hand in a second for Callum Slattery as the Steelmen threatened to run riot on a freezing cold Friday evening, and that looked nailed on when captain Alan Power was shown a straight red card for a shocking challenge on Paul McGinn.
But two goals in as many minutes from a McGinn own-goal and stunning strike by ex-Motherwell hero Liam Polworth had Killie level in 75 minutes.
van Veen put Motherwell on their way in 22 minutes, and while it was slightly out of the blue at the time, they grew in confidence and could have been two or three up by the interval.
That lack of cutting edge is what lets opposition teams back into games, but Killie didn't offer much in the first 45 that suggested there would be much of a threat.
That proved to be the case as Motherwell seemingly wrapped up the three points when Callum Slattery tucked in the rebound after van Veen had a fine effort saved.
But McGinn's own-goal and Polworth's stunner had Killie level pegging.
Motherwell boss Steven Hammell made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at St Johnstone back in November. McGinn passed a late fitness check, while Connor Shields came in for absent Louis Moult.
Killie gaffer Derek McInnes made three changes from the side that lost 3-1 to Hearts last weekend. Ben Chrisene, Jordan Jones and Christian Doidge came in for Kerr McInroy, Liam Polworth and Rory McKenzie.
Neither side were giving much away in the opening stages of the game, and it took 17 minutes to create anything decent, with Killie winger Jordan Jones' low cross from the left just too far ahead of Christian Doidge as he slid in.
But Motherwell nearly took the lead in 21 minutes when Stuart McKinstry cut in from the left and fired in a low shot that squirmed through Sam Walker's grasp, but flew wide of the far post.
It took them only 30 seconds more, though, as Blair Spittal's cut-back from the bye-line was rammed over the line by van Veen.
Spittal's corner from the left was cleared only as far as McKinstry in 35 minutes, but his rising shot flew over from just outside the box.
Callum Slattery sent Spittal through on goal in 38 minutes, but he slipped his shot wide of the left post corneer.
McKinstry picked out Spittal in seemingly acres of space in 44 minutes, but his shot was well blocked.
Killie started the second half much better and Jones passed up an early chance, firing over the bar from a good position.
But Motherwell doubled their lead in 60 minutes when van Veen forced a fine diving save from Walker, but Slattery swept in the rebound via the left post.
Killie's day seemed to go from bad to worse eight minutes later when Power was shown a straight red card.
But the visitors pulled a goal back in 73 minutes when Armstrong's cross from the right was nodded into his own net by McGinn.
And two minutes later former Well star Polworth drew Killie level, sending a shot ripping into the top right corner from 25 yards out.
MOTHERWELL: Kelly, O'Donnell, McGinn, Lamie, Penney, Goss, Slattery, Spittal (Cornelius, 85), McKinstry (Tierney, 85), Shields, van Veen.
Subs (not used): Oxborough (GK), Maguire, Morris, Miller, Ross.
Booked: Penney (59), Slattery (86)
KILMARNOCK: Walker, Mayo, Taylor, Wright, Chrisene (Stokes,, 85), Armstrong (Alson, 78), Power, Donnelly (McKenzie, 46), Jones (Robinson, 61), Doidge, Wales (Polworth, 46).
Subs (not used): Hemming (GK), Murray, McInroy, Alebiosi.
Sent off: Power (68).
Referee: John Beaton.
VAR: David Dickinson.
Attendance: 4861.
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