IT was win or win. Rangers lost. Now, Pedro Caixinha will have to count the cost.

As he set his sights on a Betfred Cup final spot, the Portuguese knew that it was all or nothing at Hampden.

Another big game has come and gone for Rangers. Add this alongside Celtic in the Scottish Cup and twice at Ibrox, put it alongside Aberdeen and Hibernian at home.

The list that is headed by Progres Niederkorn has another entry. Only time will tell how many more chances Caixinha gets to rectify that particular collection of no-shows when it has mattered most.

Read more: Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha takes the blame for Hampden defeat against Motherwell

The well of goodwill from supporters is running lower than ever now. When the same is said of the Ibrox board, the Caixinha experiment will be over.

Defeat here will hasten that talk on the terraces at Ibrox. With chairman Dave King watching on at Hampden, Caixinha had another day to forget when he could least afford it.

Two goals from Louis Moult – one a poacher’s finish and the other a moment of magic – ended Rangers’ ambitions of cup glory and sent Motherwell into next month’s final with Celtic.

A big performance and result was needed. It was Stephen Robinson’s side that delivered.

Amid talk of must win games and vampires at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Caixinha had refused to discuss the situation with Kenny Miller. His actions at Hampden said plenty, though.

The striker was at the National Stadium but he sat in the stand alongside injured captain Lee Wallace rather than on the bench behind his boss. Rangers could have done with him on the park.

Read more: Rangers defender Bruno Alves criticises Motherwell's physical approach and referee Steven McLean after cup loss​

The future of the 37-year-old will come to the fore sooner rather than later but that of his manager is now very much back on the agenda amongst a fan base that are running out of patience.

The wins over Hamilton and St Johnstone had given supporters small reasons to be optimistic but a third successive victory once again evaded Caixinha.

Rangers should have been on their way inside the opening two minutes but Josh Windass was denied by keeper Trevor Carson after he collected Alfredo Morelos’ flick. The one that he spurned later in the half was even more clear-cut after good work from Daniel Candeias down the left flank.

That lack of quality in the final third summed up Rangers’ efforts. After a scrappy start, the Gers grew into the encounter, but so did Motherwell.

What began as a fairly low-key contest soon picked up as the foul count steadily increased, with Morelos and Peter Hartley the main protagonists.

The striker had flashed a shot wide after Cedric Kipre failed to clear his lines but it was the battle with Hartley that occupied him for most of the first half. Morelos exchanged words with Well boss Robinson on the touchline before Hartley was booked for clattering into him in the middle of the park.

Read more: 'Win or win' comment gave Motherwell extra incentive to knock Rangers out of cup, says Ryan Bowman​

The Steelmen defence looked unconvincing at times but Rangers couldn’t capitalise as Bruno Alves diverted a Declan John free-kick wide before the left-back came close with a diving header.

It was Motherwell who would end the first half in the ascendancy as Moult’s strike was deflected wide before Kipre and Hartley were denied after a penalty box scramble. A spell of pressure and a few forward forays came to nothing, though.

Rangers started brightly after the break but another miss from Windass proved costly as the midfielder couldn’t beat Carson after being fed by Pena.

Seconds later, the ball was in the net at the other end. Keeper Jak Alnwick couldn’t gather a Chris Cadden corner and Hartley hit the bar at the back post. Moult’s header was cleared off the line by Ryan Jack but the striker made no mistake second time around as he poked the ball into the roof of the net.

With most of Hampden stunned, the Well players sprinted towards the claret and amber corner of the National Stadium. The Steelmen had something to hold onto now.

Caixinha turned to his bench in search of a savour as Aaron Nemane replaced the ineffective Pena. Once again, the Mexican had offered virtually nothing and he could have no complaints about only lasting an hour.

Read more: Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha takes the blame for Hampden defeat against Motherwell

Nemane set up Candeias with his first burst down the right but the Portuguese winger blazed his effort over the bar before tempers flared on the touchline once again.

It was the end of the afternoon for Fabio Cardoso after he was on the end of an elbow from Ryan Bowman. The striker somehow avoided collecting a yellow card, despite the blood pouring from Cardoso’s nose as he was replaced by Ross McCrorie.

Having failed to take any action against Bowman, referee Steven McLean sent both Caixinha and Robinson to the stand. It summed up an erratic performance from the whistler.

Once order had been restored, the stage was set for more drama. It was Moult that took the spotlight .

A Charles Dunne pass split the Gers defence and brought the Well fans to their feet. Soon, they were twisting and shouting as Moult lobbed Alnwick from 25 yards.

It was a sublime finish from the striker and a goal worthy of winning any game at Hampden. It was the one that condemned Rangers to defeat.

As he watched on from high above the Hampden pitch, Caixinha was helpless. The game and the final was outwith his grasp and his future is now in the hands of the Ibrox board.