Aberdeen striker Alex di Rocco denied Motherwell with two goals in the final 10 minutes in a six-goal thriller at Pittodrie.

A point was well deserved by the home side who never gave up and twice hauled back Motherwell to level terms.

The visitors soaked up the earlier pressure piled on by Aberdeen who were clearly boosted by their 2-0 win over Hibs last week.

But it was the Fir Park side who took the lead against the run of play after 13 minutes when Derek Townsley fired home a Lee McCulloch cross.

Arild Stavrum drew the Dons level just before the break but Motherwell restored their lead through Lee McCulloch a couple of minutes later.

McCulloch extended the lead after the interval but two strikes from Di Rocco ensured a share of the points.

Motherwell may have been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Andy Goram back between the sticks after prolonged injury but Aberdeen seemed to have a new lease of life after a 2-0 win over Hibs last week.

The Dons dominated the opening stages of the game and had the ball in the back of the net after just one minute.

Unfortunately for the home side, the strike was deemed to be offside after di Rocco had slipped the ball past the Motherwell goalkeeper.

Four minutes later the Dons were pushing forward again.

This time Stavrum tried to find Robbie Winters in the box but the cross was intercepted by Martyn Corrigan who cleared for a corner.

With 11 minutes on the clock, Thomas Solberg came close with a great attempt.

Derek Young floated a cross in to the edge of the 18-yard box which was picked up by the defender and his over-head strike flew just over.

But just two minutes later, Motherwell opened the scoring again the run of play.

McCulloch sent a great ball through the middle to Townsley who slotted the ball past Ryan Esson.

Aberdeen already seemed to have lost the zest that saw them pile the pressure on the Motherwell goal early in the game.

This was underlined when Well striker McCulloch was allowed to have a go from 20 yards and his long, low shot produced a good save from the Dons goalkeeper.

Di Rocco made an attempt to pull the Dons level just before the half hour mark when he spun in the box and fired a shot at goal but the effort was easily held by Goram.

But just seconds later McCulloch was threatening the Aberdeen goal again and this time his shot was just wide after he met a great ball from Ged Brannan, missing the chance to double Well's advantage.

Seven minutes before the break, Stavrum had a great chance to level the scorelines when he struck a free-kick well but sent it just wide of the post.

Three minutes later though he was more successful. Di Rocco burst clear on goal only for Goram to block the shot but Stavrum followed through and rammed home the equaliser.

But Motherwell wasted no time in reclaiming their lead when McCulloch ran clear after 43 minutes.

Whyte and Solberg stood still claiming for off-side but the striker fired home and the assistant referee's flag stayed down.

Five minutes after the break Aberdeen almost pulled level once again. Di Rocco's angled left-footed drive looked net-bound until Benito Kemble's clearance off the line.

But just after the hour mark Townsley should have grabbed his second. Scott Leitch sent him clear with only the goalkeeper to beat from eight yards out but Esson managed to block the shot for a corner.

In the 68th minute, Motherwell extended their lead. Elliott found McCulloch right in front of goal and the Motherwell striker fired home his second from close range.

McCulloch went for the hat-trick after 72 minutes when he stepped up for a set-piece. The shot was on target but was held by the Aberdeen goalkeeper.

Aberdeen fought their way back into the game and were rewarded 11 minutes from time.

Di Rocco had looked menacing throughout the game and grabbed his first goal for the Dons when he rattled a Kevin McNaughton cross into the top of the net.

A minute from time, Elliott had the chance to kill the game but sent his header just over the crossbar.

But three minutes into injury time Di Rocco smashed home the equaliser to ensure a share of the points.