Sport

Rangers miss their chance to grab control

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE Hibernian 1 Rangers 1: NACHO NOVO rescued a point for Rangers in controversial circumstances as the …

Thu May 14 2009 - 01:00

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE Hibernian 1 Rangers 1:NACHO NOVO rescued a point for Rangers in controversial circumstances as the Scottish Premier League title race took another dramatic turn. The Ibrox side were furious an earlier effort from the Spaniard was not allowed to stand after Derek Riordan had given the home side the lead.

The draw saw Rangers squander the opportunity to move clear of Celtic at the summit, with goal difference all that separates the Old Firm rivals heading into the final two games of the season.

Rangers had an early opportunity to put Hibs under pressure when Kris Boyd was fouled by Ross Chisholm, earning the Ibrox side a free-kick.

Steven Davis stepped up for the set-piece but drove narrowly wide of target from 30 yards.

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Hibs who took a surprise lead four minutes before the break when Steven Fletcher played in Riordan for the shot and he lofted over Neil Alexander from just outside the box.

Rangers were clearly lacking pace up front and Kyle Lafferty and Novo were both introduced for the second half at the expense of Steven Smith and Andrius Velicka.

Rangers thought they had pulled a goal back with just over 20 minutes remaining. Boyd’s initial shot was blocked by the goalkeeper before Novo claimed he bundled over the line. But despite protests to the referee and his assistant – which earned yellow cards for Mendes and Lafferty – the goal was not given.

Rangers did manage to haul themselves back into the game with 11 minutes to go when a Bougherra cross was fumbled by Ma-Kalambay. Davis tried to prod home but it was Novo who managed to force the ball over the line.

HIBERNIAN:Ma-Kalambay, van Zanten, Hogg, Jones, Murray, Chisholm, Bamba (Thicot 90), Rankin, Stevenson, Fletcher (O'Brien 86), Riordan. Subs not used: McNeil, Keenan, Hanlon, McCormack, Johansson. Booked: Bamba, Fletcher. Goal: Riordan 41.

RANGERS:Alexander, Dailly, Bougherra, Weir, Whittaker, Davis, Mendes, Edu, Steven Smith (Novo 46), Boyd, Velicka (Lafferty 46). Subs not used: McGregor, McCulloch, Naismith, Fleck, Wilson. Goal: Novo 80. Booked: Bougherra, Mendes, Lafferty.

Referee:E Smith (Scotland).