Rangers survive late scare to beat Motherwell

Rangers survived a late scare to grind out a 2-1 win against Motherwell on Sunday to stay top of the Scottish Premier League.

Second-half goals from Steven Davis and substitute Nacho Novo looked to have sealed the win for the Ibrox side after they had dominated the match.

But Motherwell pulled one back late on through David Clarkson to give the Steelmen some hope. The win means Rangers’ unbeaten record at home in the league now stretches back to October 2007.

The game started at pedestrian pace with Rangers having the majority of possession but no end product. Kenny Miller saw his third-minute shot sail over the bar and then just failed to connect with a Kris Boyd knock-down which Graeme Smith did well to smother.

Neil Alexander, in for Allan McGregor who dropped to the bench, had a scare in the 21st minute when his kick-out hit off the back of Chris Porter, with the keeper relieved to see it go out for a goal-kick.

The game came to life midway through the first-half when Paul Quinn picked up a booking for a late tackle on Pedro Mendes, which incensed the Rangers bench.

In the resulting melee, Rangers manager Walter Smith was given a talking to by referee Eddie Smith.

Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan soon had his name added to the book when he picked up a yellow card for hauling down Miller as he skipped past him on the left-wing.

Steven Davis curled the resulting free-kick straight at Smith in goal. The Motherwell keeper had to be at full stretch to turn a Miller drive round the post in the 33rd minute after the Rangers forward turned his marker and shot from the edge of the box.

Motherwell’s David Clarkson then went on a surging run but the forward ran out of steam at the 18-yard line and David Weir soon cleared the danger.

Scottish striker Miller was involved in the best chance of the half in the 40th minute when he got in between two Motherwell defenders to knock Boyd’s pass under the advancing Smith but just past the post.

Damarcus Beasley had the home side’s first effort of the second-half. Miller played him into the box but the American’s shot from the left was palmed away by Smith.

Boyd came close just three minutes later when his shot on the turn rattled the post.

Davis gave Rangers the lead after 56 minutes. Miller’s pass found Davis with only the keeper to beat and the Northern Ireland international lifted his effort just over the head of the advancing Smith and into the corner of the net.

Boyd thought he had won a penalty in the 63rd minute after he went down following a challenge in the box but the Rangers striker was booked for diving.

Motherwell registered their first shot on target in the 68th minute when Clarkson curled a fierce shot in from the edge of the box but Alexander tipped his effort round the post.

Novo came on for Beasley and the substitute had an immediate impact when he doubled Rangers’ advantage. The Spaniard bundled the ball home from six yards after Smith knocked a Miller cross from the right wing into his path.

This sparked Motherwell into life and a Chris Porter effort hit the post in the 82nd minute before Clarkson pulled one back for the Lanarkshire side.

His effort sailed past Alexander from six yards after he connected with Porter’s cross in the 87th minute. Despite late pressure, Rangers held on to take the points.