Livingston hitman Rolando Zarate scored twice against Motherwell on the opening day of the season back in August and punished them again with just three minutes left to give the Lions their third successive victory over the visitors.
In fact the Spaniard should never have been in a position to score but poor defending from Motherwell full-back Steven Hammell allowed Michael Hart to cut the ball back for Zarate to scramble home his seventh goal of the campaign.
Motherwell looked to have picked up where they left off against Rangers on Boxing Day by dominating the early exchanges.
In the very first minute James McFadden's shot was deflected over the top and Derek Adams then tested keeper Javier Sanchez Broto with a 30-yard free-kick.
Despite being outplayed Livingston's first attack almost brought a goal as midfielder Francisco Quino brushed the sidenetting with his low first-time drive.
Zarate made his presence felt in the 15th minute when his free-kick curled wide and again four minutes later with an angled shot which the keeper managed to parry.
A terrific defensive header from Willie Kinniburgh kept the Motherwell goal intact in the 28th minute and as half time approached the visitors wasted a marvellous opportunity when Derek Adams went for direction rather than power which allowed Sanchez Broto to save from close range.
Both sides had further chances at the end of the first period but Livingston were clearly on top after the break.
Defender Marvin Andrews suddenly became their main goal threat, heading over from a free-kick before hitting the woodwork with another header and then seeing his rebound blocked by the goalkeepers legs.
Livingston finally found the net after 53 minutes but an effort by David Bingham was disallowed for a push on the Motherwell goalkeeper.
The home side were never again so dominate, but Hammell's late blunder handed them all three points.