Motherwell fell just short against Celtic at Parkhead as Tom Rogic ’s goal sealed a narrow 1-0 Hoops win.
James Forrest and Callum Slattery both had chances for the Hoops and Steelmen early in the match.
But it was Rogic’s goal on the stroke of half-time which split the teams, despite a hard-working display from the Fir Park side.
Graham Alexander ’s side are fifth in the Premiership after a loss to Ange Postecoglou's men.
Motherwell made two changes from the 1-1 draw against Hibs last weekend. Barry Maguire came into midfield for Dean Cornelius but the most pressing issue was in defence.
Ricki Lamie hobbled out of last week's match, meaning Alexander had to deploy left-back Jake Carroll at centre-back. Celtic weren't without injury troubles either, unable to name a recognised striker in their team.
The Steelmen had lost one of their last five, winning matches against Aberdeen, Hearts and Dundee United in that sequence, so spirits were high ahead of the match.
They were almost afforded a gift inside three minutes, a loose ball needing Hoops goalkeeper Joe Hart to provide an unorthodox punch as Kaiyne Woolery closed him down.
But a let-off was handed to Motherwell a minute later when Callum McGregor slipped in Forrest, but he put it wide from all of five yards out, 'Well goalkeeper Liam Kelly beaten.
Bevis Mugabi then had to get in the way to deny Celtic on seven minutes, as the home side looked like scoring with every attacking advance.
Mugabi was in front of everything, blocking and clearing everything that came his way in the first 15 minutes. And his work almost provided the Steelmen to get in front, Motherwell breaking and Slattery crashing a shot off the bar.
Celtic's injury woes deepened as Forrest trudged off injured on 18 minutes, amid a positive spell for the away side.
Tony Watt then flashed a shot across the face of goal that no Motherwell players could turn into the net before Sean Goss forced a great save from Hart.
Postecoglou's side will always be a threat and Mikey Johnston's shot on 32 minutes which hit the side-netting after a quiet home spell proved as much.
Liel Abada then had a go two minutes later, stinging Kelly's palms, and he made a stunning one-handed save to deny former Steelman Turnbull moments later.
A sickener would come with virtually the last kick of the first half. David Turnbull's free-kick on the edge of the box was passed into Rogic, who put the ball into the top corner.
Johnston had another chance denied on 76 minutes and Rogic tried his luck 10 minutes from time. Motherwell had just ran out of steam towards the end but did themselves no disrespect with a spirited display.
Connor Shields had a late header but it came to nothing as the Steelmen head back to Lanarkshire empty-handed.
Celtic XI: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, Bitton, McGregor, Turnbull, Rogic, Forrest, Abada.
Subs: Bain, McCarthy, Johnston, Shaw, Henderson, Ralston, Welsh.
Motherwell XI: Kelly, O'Donnell, Mugabi, Carroll, McGinley, Maguire, Slattery, Goss, Woolery, Van Veen, Watt.
Subs: Fox, Amaluzor, Cornelius, Donnelly, Grimshaw, Roberts, Shields.
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