Motherwell 1 - 1 Rangers Sat 29/09/07

Kris Boyd (pen 67)

Motherwell were denied their first win over Rangers in almost five years when the Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders salvaged a 1-1 draw from the trip to Fir Park.

An entertaining match saw the home side take the lead through Chris Porter, before Kris Boyd earned a draw from the penalty spot to prevent Rangers from heading home empty-handed.

The last time Well recorded a victory over Rangers was on Boxing Day 2002 when Scotland hero James McFadden grabbed the match-winner.

The Steelmen may have to wait a while longer to match that feat but will be able to take plenty from this game, while the Ibrox faithful will be left wondering about their own team's stomach for lunchtime kick-offs, having also dropped points to Hearts in a 12.30 start earlier this season.

Mark McGhee had earned plenty of plaudits since taking over the Motherwell helm in the summer but would have been keenly aware he faced his biggest challenge to date in the shape of Rangers.

However, the man who refused to be intimidated by either half of the Old Firm as an Aberdeen player stubbornly persisted with the ambitious 4-3-3 formation which had served his team so well throughout the campaign so far.

He was able to name the same starting line-up who dumped CIS Insurance Cup holders Hibernian out of the competition midweek - a display which prompted McGhee to compare his team to Brazil.

In stark contrast, Rangers made wholesale changes to the side who disposed of Third Division East Fife on Wednesday night. Only Carlos Cuellar, Steven Whittaker and Boyd remained from the third-round tie as Walter Smith reverted to a more familiar line-up.

Boyd was given the opportunity to resurrect his old strike partnership with former Kilmarnock team-mate Steven Naismith and both players combined well early on.

Naismith exchanged a one-two with Boyd out on the right while making a run of his own into the box, but his touch in front of goal was poor and the danger was cleared.

At the other end, David Clarkson tried his luck with a header which flashed wide and never troubled goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Rangers were threatening again when a long ball from McGregor was collected by Lee McCulloch, who knocked into the path of Boyd. The striker unleashed a powerful drive which fizzed across the face of goal and past the upright.

Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith was then called into action to smother a long-range effort from Steven Whittaker.

Despite a few half-chances from Rangers, the home side were producing some nice football and Cuellar picked up the first booking after 21 minutes for halting a Motherwell break up the park by hacking down Steven McGarry.

Three minutes later Motherwell were in the lead. Clarkson provided a superb pass through the Rangers defence which was gleefully pounced upon by Porter who was clearly off-side, claimed his fifth goal of the season by slotting low past McGregor from 10 yards.

Rangers could have been back on level terms almost immediately, but a powerful shot from McCulloch crashed off the crossbar instead.

Then it was Motherwell's turn to be denied by the woodwork. Kevin Thomson was booked for a foul on Clarkson and Ross McCormack's free-kick hit the crossbar.

Rangers were again denied the equaliser on the stroke of half-time when a Cuellar header was deflected on to the bar by former Gers midfielder Stephen Hughes, before David Weir's rebound was smothered by Smith.

Whittaker was replaced by Jean-Claude Darcheville at the break. He released Boyd into the box and he went to ground when Mark Reynolds tugged at his arm, but his pleas for a penalty were ignored by referee Craig Thomson.

There was a shout at the other end seconds later - with a Naismith challenge on Clarkson - when Clackson clearly went down with any contact again left the official was unimpressed.

Darcheville hit the post when he was played in by Boyd, but the lineman had his flag up for off-side, the same official who allowed the Motherwell goal to stand.

Darcheville appeared to be struggling and Rangers were dealt a blow when he was forced to withdraw after 10 minutes and was replaced by DaMarcus Beasley.

However, it was the American who helped haul Rangers back into the game when he was felled in the box by Keith Lasley and this time the referee did point to the spot. Boyd stepped up to blast home from 12 yards and restore parity with 67 minutes gone.

Charlie Adam was thrown into the action in place of Naismith late on in the hope that he could snatch all three points for Rangers.

The midfielder had bagged a sensational goal against Stuttgart in the Champions League and he clearly fancied his chances again after being brought down 35 yards out by Porter.

Adam stepped up for the set-piece but swept inches wide of the target, as both teams were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

RANGERS: McGregor, Hotton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Whittaker (Darcheville 45, Beasley 56), Ferguson, Thomson, Naismith (Adam 80), McCulloch, Boyd,

Subs Not Used: Carroll, Emslie, Lennon, Shinnie,

Ref: C Thomson

Man-of-the-match: Cuellar

Attendance: 10,009