Motherwell lose out to late Rangers strike

May 14 2008 By Graham Barnstaple at Ibrox

Rangers 1 Motherwell 0

MOTHERWELL fell to a narrow defeat by Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday, but will have been pleased with their performance.

Mark McGhee’s men pushed the SPL title challengers close, only to lose to a late Barry Ferguson strike.

Rangers nearly took the lead early on when from a corner Graeme Smith was forced to claw out a Kris Boyd header, with Nacho Novo blasting the rebound wide from less than six yards.

Motherwell created their first real chance after 34 minutes when Keith Lasley sent Stephen Hughes clear on the right and his cross was met by Ross McCormack, but he could only sweep his shot wide across goal with Neil Alexander beaten.

Just before the interval Rangers threatened again, when Boyd and Jean-Claude Darcheville played a couple of passes before the Frenchman shot wide from a narrow angle. Rangers tried to step up the pace in the second half, but finishing was letting them down, as was shown when Darcheville blasted over after a fine through-ball by Ferguson released the striker.

Midway through the half a mix-up between Stephen Craigan and Bob Malcolm let Boyd through, but Smith was quick off his line to block.

Within a couple of minutes the keeper had to be quick off his line to bravely deny Novo.

But with 16 minutes left Rangers’ pressure finally told, as Motherwell again lost a goal from a corner.

Steven Davies’ kick from the right was flicked on at the near post and fell kindly for Ferguson to hook a shot high into the roof of the net.

Despite a late flurry from Motherwell Rangers held on to the three points.

MOTHERWELL: G. Smith, McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Malcolm, Lasley (D. Smith, 75), Lappin, Hughes, McGarry (Clarkson, 60), McCormack (Porter, 75). Subs (not used): Daniels, Hammell, Murphy, Meechan.