Substitute Derek Lilley gave Livingston their first win of the season in a poor game at City Stadium.
Lilley was perfectly placed 12 minutes from time to get on the end of a Fernando Pasquinelli cross to power a header past Gordon Marshall.
Until then, neither team looked like winning a sterile affair in which defences were well on top.
Referee Craig Thomson did not help things with his whistle-happy display but Livingston will be delighted at the final outcome.
Motherwell were without Scotland international striker James McFadden and youngster Kenny Wright took his place in attack alongside David Clarkson.
It was an uninspired start by both teams who frequently misplaced passes and neither goalkeeper was asked to do much.
John Paul McGovern had the first serious attempt on goal after 25 minutes but he dragged his shot wide.
Barry Wilson was then guilty of squandering two chances in quick succession. He missed his kick in front of goal from a McGovern cross and then, when David McNamee picked him out, he failed to connect with a header.
Burton O'Brien brought a fine save from Gordon Marshall nine minutes from the break as the game took on a new lease of life.
Motherwell responded and Burns tested Alan Main with a long-range free-kick before Steven Hammell struck the top of the crossbar with a free-kick from wide on the right.
Livingston started the second half brightly and Fernando Pasquinelli forced a decent save from Marshall with a curling shot from the edge of the area which the goalkeeper failed to hold.
Just when it looked as if neither side would break the deadlock, Lilley appeared in the right place at the right time to settle the issue.