Rangers showed one change from Saturday's loss at Shire, Graham Guy replacing the injured Stevie Notman at right back.

A frantic opening promised much, but it took until the 12th minute for either keeper to be tested, Paul Currie's stinging volley gratefully tipped over the bar by Kelly in the home goal.

Rangers took the lead in the 31st minute with a stunning goal. Stuart Callaghan's Hoddle-esque crossfield ball sent Paul McMullan on a trademark serpentine run, which ended when he was halted on the edge of the box. The loose ball broke to Currie who fired a fine shot into Kelly's top left corner.

Currie almost doubled the lead a minute later, but his goalbound shot was deflected over by Neilson.

The goal sparked Rangers and they built up a head of steam as half time approached, Neilson's last ditch tackle denying McLaren's dangerous run on goal in the 43rd minute.

In contrast, the second half never really got going. Rangers couldn't maintain their ascendancy and paid the penalty in the 57th minute Sloan's deep cross to the back post was headed past Peat by Bell.