Motherwell's Jim O'Brien missed a penalty and Rangers had Madjid Bougherra sent off in a storming finish to a goalless draw at Fir Park.
Kenny Miller blasted over from a good position, while keeper John Ruddy saved well from Bougherra as the SPL leaders had the better first-half chances.
Well's Ruddy produced another save to block clear a Nacho Novo drive.
Lukas Jutkiewicz was pulled down by Bougherra, who was sent off, only for Allan McGregor to save the penalty.
It meant that Rangers lost their 100% record for the season, while Motherwell extended their own unbeaten run.
The two sides fielded debutants in direct opposition, with Rangers' wing recruit from Paris St Germain, Jerome Rothen, up against Yassin Moutaouakil, who is on loan from Charlton Athletic.
It meant Steven Naismith, who impressed for Scotland against the Netherlands, and Stephen Craigan, who played two games for Northern Ireland, were dropped to their respective benches.
Motherwell manager Jim Gannon explained that he had rested his veteran captain because of the rigours of playing two international matches in a week.
But Scotland veteran David Weir started for Rangers and it looked like it might be short-lived as he limped off after an early challenge only to return moments later.
It was a cagey start, with both sides determined to play a passing game, but it was Motherwell who threatened first when John Sutton, who had returned to the starting line-up, could not get enough purchase on a Ross Forbes cross to direct the ball on goal.
Rangers responded and goalkeeper Ruddy did well to clear before the onrushing Sasa Papac was able to connect with a Kris Boyd knockdown from a Miller cross to the back post.
Moutaouakil and Rothen made their debuts at Fir Park
Motherwell missed a chance to test goalkeeper McGregor when a Moutaouakil cross found Sutton unmarked 10 yards out, but the striker could not react quickly enough and the ball bounced off his chest and wide.
Rangers squandered an even better opportunity when the ball fell to Miller 16 yards from goal, but the striker who misfired for Scotland in midweek volleyed a foot over the crossbar.
Ruddy denied Rangers an opener on the stroke of half-time, blocked the ball on the line with his legs after Bougherra rose five yards out to meet a Steven Whittaker free-kick.
Home boss Gannon replaced Jamie Murphy with Steve Jennings at half-time and Well threatened immediately, with McGregor beating away a Stevie Hammill cross that looked like it might creep in at the front post.
The ineffectual Rothen and Miller were soon introduced by Rangers manager Walter Smith, who brought on Naismith and Nacho Novo in an attempt to introduce a greater goal threat.
Naismith was immediately involved in a goalmouth scramble during which Steven Davis twice had stabbed attempts blocked by the defence.
Novo combined with his fellow substitute before the Spaniard forced a parried save from Ruddy following a low drive from the edge of the box.
A superb cross from Moutaouakil found Giles Cope 10 yards out, but the midfielder's header drifted over.
Motherwell had a chance to break the deadlock on the break after 84 minutes, but Tom Hateley blasted over from 18 yards after doing well to create himself some space.
Jutkiewicz, who had replaced Sutton, gave Well a great chance to win the game when he was tripped by Bougherra inside the box.
The Rangers defender was shown two second yellow cards for his protests, but McGregor threw himself superbly to parry clear O'Brien's spot kick before both sides settled for a point that was fair on the balance of play.
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