Scotland Under-21 striker Lee McCulloch earned Motherwell a point in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park in a game that was never in any danger of living up to last season's 11-goal epic.

The Dons won 6-5 on that occasion, and a repeat victory for Ebbe Skovdahl's side would not have been undeserved.

Despite the embarrassing cup exit to Irish part-timers Bohemians in midweek, the visitors showed greater urgency going forward and took the lead through Robbie Winters' powerful header.

McCulloch levelled before the break, but despite plenty of effort from Billy Davies' side they are still searching for their first Scottish Premier League victory of the season.

The match started at a frantic pace with Hicham Zerouali finding himself with a clear sight of goal in the first minute only for goalkeeper Andy Goram to block his effort.

Derek Adams seemed destined to give Motherwell the lead but totally miscued his shot after being set up by John Spencer.

The action was switching from end to end, and it was no surprise after 10 minutes when Winters powered home a six-yard header after Cato Guntveit's superb cross from the right.

However, the home supporters did not have long to wait for the equaliser with Don Goodman's low cross into the box pounced on by McCulloch who sidefooted the ball home from inside the six-yard box after 23 minutes.

Goodman went into referee John Rowbotham's book moments later after a rash challenge on Zerouali, who left the pitch on a stretcher and was replaced by Darren Mackie.

Despite that setback it was Aberdeen who were looking the most likely to regain the initiative, with Paul Bernard's trickery presenting a chance for Winters only for the striker to head over the bar.

Aberdeen upped the tempo after the break with substitute Mackie posing plenty of problems for the home defence and Goram forced to beat out a fierce long-range effort from the youngster.

Guntveit was inches away from putting Aberdeen back in front on 57 minutes when, after exchanging passes with Winters, the Norwegian midfielder saw his shot roll just wide of the left-hand post.

Former Glentoran forward Stuart Elliott replaced the ineffective Spencer just after the hour mark as Motherwell boss Davies attempted to conjure a second goal for his struggling side.

Motherwell's frustration was becoming evident with McCulloch and defender Greg Strong both receiving cautions - the former for diving in the penalty area.

Goodman almost stole it for Motherwell in the closing moments, but his downward header from substitute Paul Harvey's corner bounced just over the crossbar with Ryan Esson well beaten.