Terry Butcher's side went into the game seeking a point to ensure they finished in the top half for the second season running, while Killie were playing for pride after being knocked out of that race last week.
There was little incident of note in the opening stages apart from Killie's Gary McDonald seeing a header slide wide of the far post. All the Well fans had to warm them was a thumping Steven Hammell tackle that had them applauding.
Shaun Fagan and David Clarkson squandered half chances for the home side before Killie took the lead in the 33rd minute after Jamie Paterson when was harshly adjudged to have fouled James Fowler.
Peter Leven stepped up to bend the free-kick over the wall and in off Barry-John Corr's left hand post, for the only major highlight of the opening 45 minutes.
The second half continued the trend of the first with little entertainment as Motherwell looked nervy as they searched for that elusive goal and point.
Killie who almost doubled their lead but Leven this time hit his free-kick into the arms of Corr.
Motherwell forced a number of corners but the best effort they could muster was a Clarkson shot that was saved by Combe with his foot at the near post.
Things got even nervier around the ground as the news filtered through that Inverness were three up against Dundee, piling the pressure on for that last top-six slot. Although tensions were eased with 12 minutes to go when the news came through that Dundee had scored up north.
Motherwell finally limped over the line with a bizarre goal. Stephen Craigan's long throw caused panic at the front post and appeared to strike goalie Combe and trickle into the net for the home side's first goal against Killie this season.