Both sides went into the game looking for points for different reasons with Celtic knowing a win would put them back on top while Motherwell knew a point would see them move back into the top six.
The first half as a result was an entertaining affair as both sides showed great commitment and passion without too much goalmouth action.
Home keeper Graeme Smith was the busier of the two keepers initially saving an angled drive from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and then pulling off a stunning one-handed stop to deny Scott McDonald just before the break.
At the other end Artur Boruc had little to do as his defenders were able to block shots from Steven Hammell and Marc Fitzpatrick. At the break Motherwell were the happier side knowing they were still in with a chance of taking something from the game.
After a first half with no goals, the fans were treated to one from either side in the second. The first came for Celtic on the hour mark and it was a personal disaster for Well's skipper Stephen Craigan.
The defender got the ball stuck between his feet on the 18-yard line, and it fell kindly for McDonald whose low shot bobbled past Graeme Smith.
The game developed into a bit of a midfield stalemate until Motherwell fashioned an equaliser with eight minutes left.
Hammell rolled a quick free-kick to Jim O'Brien and when his cross was only half headed clear by Glenn Loovens the ball fell kindly for Quinn to smash a low 15-yard shot past Boruc.
Despite a late Celtic bombardment, Motherwell held on for the point that sees them move into the top six while Gordon Strachan's side are stuck in second place behind Rangers on goal difference.