Jim Gannon's youthful Motherwell side twice came from behind in a thrilling second half to snatch a 2-2 draw deny St Johnstone victory on their return to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Murray Davidson's deflected effort gave the Irn-Bru First Division champions a deserved half-time lead but Shaun Hutchinson headed his first senior goal to level.
Graham Gartland soon scrambled Saints back into the lead but Ross Forbes earned Gannon a point on his SPL debut with a wonderful long-range strike.
Motherwell had a let-off when goalkeeper John Ruddy appeared to claw Stuart McCaffrey's header from inside his goal after Deuchar had headed Morais' deep corner into the danger zone.
Referee Dougie McDonald gave a corner on the advice of his assistant but any sense of injustice disappeared when Saints took a 33rd-minute lead seconds later. A Filipe Morais delivery fell to Davidson 20 yards out and his shot hit a Motherwell player and looped over goalkeeper John Ruddy.
Motherwell were level in the 55th minute thanks to a superb header from Hutchinson. The young defender rose 16 yards out to guide Stevie Hammell's free-kick into the top corner before being booked for celebrating with the visiting fans.
Jamie Murphy then broke clear down the right but Alan Main blocked his low drive, and Motherwell's vulnerability at high balls then cost them on the hour mark.
A corner from Morais corner caused chaos and Gartland bundled home from close range after Deuchar had fired into a ruck of bodies.
Motherwell had the ball in the net 90 seconds later but Murphy was booked for handball after meeting Humphrey's powerful cross at the near post.
They were level in the 65th minute when Forbes scored his fourth goal of the season, which for Motherwell began in European competition. The 20-year-old cut inside from the right wing before curling the ball over Main and into the top corner from 25 yards.
Copyright (C) PA Sport 2010.
Last updated: 15 August 2009, 17:27
Match Facts
- Yellow CardSt Johnstone, 90 mins, C. Samuel
- Sub OnSt Johnstone, 84 mins, M. Hardie
- Sub OffSt Johnstone, 84 mins, K. Deuchar
- Yellow CardMotherwell, 78 mins, G. Coke
- Yellow CardSt Johnstone, 74 mins, S. McCaffrey
- Yellow CardMotherwell, 70 mins, S. Hammell
- GoalMotherwell, 66 mins, R. Forbes
- Sub OnSt Johnstone, 65 mins, C. Samuel
- Sub OffSt Johnstone, 65 mins, F. Morais
- Yellow CardMotherwell, 62 mins, J. Murphy
- GoalSt Johnstone, 61 mins, G. Gartland
- GoalMotherwell, 56 mins, S. Hutchinson
- Yellow CardMotherwell, 56 mins, S. Hutchinson
- Yellow CardSt Johnstone, 55 mins, G. Gartland
- Yellow CardSt Johnstone, 53 mins, L. Craig
- Sub OnMotherwell, 45 mins, R. McHugh
- Sub OnMotherwell, 45 mins, C. Humphrey
- Sub OffMotherwell, 45 mins, J. Sutton
- Sub OffMotherwell, 45 mins, S. Craigan
- GoalSt Johnstone, 34 mins, M. Davidson
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