Match Report - By John Hoey

Rangers 4 Brechin City 1

Brechin City's hopes of bringing off a shock result against title favourites Rangers at Ibrox Stadium were brought to an end with the home side running out comfortable 4-1 winners.

City were dealt a body-blow within the first couple of minutes when Chris Hegarty fired the Gers into the lead, and the City defence had to withstand almost continual home pressure for the remainder of the half before Nicky Law doubled his side's advantage five minutes from the interval, firing home from 25 yards.

A wonderful goal from Steven Jackson in the 65th minute gave City some hope but a hotly disputed penalty decision in the 80th minute brought City's dreams of pulling off a surprise to an end.

City defender Paul McLean was dismissed by referee George Salmond for his part in the incident leading up to the award and although Graeme Smith saved Ian Black's spot-kick, the Gers midfielder was quickest to react and fired the rebound into the net. A further goal from substitute Dean Sheils wrapped up victory for the hosts.

City manager Ray McKinnon started the game with Smith in goal and a back-four of McLean, Jackson, McGlauchlan and Brown with Trouten, Anderson, Molloy and Barr in midfield and Ryan Donnelly and Derek Carcary up front.

Rangers started off at a whirlwind pace, and Smith was picking the ball out of the net after just 90 seconds after HEGARTY fired home the opener after a Law shot had been blocekd by the City defence.

Rangers then laid siege to the City goal for the remainder of the half with Smith performing heroics to deny Black and Lee Wallace while Jon Daly scorned a couple of great goal-scoring opportunities.

It was only a matter of time until the hard-pressed City defence conceded a further goal and it came five minute before the break when LAW picked up the ball around 30 yards from goal and moved forward a couple of paces before drilling home a superb right-foot drive.

Rangers started the second-half at a more leisurly pace and this allowed City to get back into the game, string some passes together and try and make an impact and they got themsleves back into the reckoning with a fantatstic goal in the 65th minute.

A Derek Carcary corner was half-cleared by the Rangers defence and JACKSON swivelled round in the box to unleash a wonderful overhead drive which flew into the top corner of the net.

City were now clearly gaining in confidence and enjoying a much larger share of the possession but they were dealt a terminal blow in the 80th minute when Rangers were awarded a penalty.

Andy Little went down in the box after a challenge by Paul McLean who was then dismissed by referee George Salmond. It seemed a particularly harsh decision by the referee who then awarded a penalty to Rangers, and although Ian Black's spot-kick was saved by Smith, the ex Hearts midfielder blasted the rebound home. A further goal from substitute Dean Shiels three minutes later sealed the win for Rangers.

Other Results - Scottish League One

Arbroath 0 Ayr United 3

Convincing Away Win For Honest Men

East Fife 0 Dunfermline Athletic 1

Pars Win Fife Derby

Forfar Athletic 3 Airdrieonians 3

Six Goals Shared At Station Park

Stenhousemuir 1 Stranraer 0

Warriors Edge Home Against Blues