Rangers open up seven-point lead

03 December 2011 18:16

Rangers got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Dunfermline to open a seven-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday.

After two games without a win the Ibrox club started with a point to prove and took a 22nd minute lead when Paul Gallaghers attempted clearance came crashing off the back of Alex Keddie.

Sone Aluko was making his Ibrox debut for Rangers and won his new club a 29th minute penalty which Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic converted for his 12th goal of the season.

Dunfermline pulled one back two minutes later when Joe Cardle conjured a goal out of nothing to fire low past Allan McGregor.

Rangers created a host of chances in the second-half but were nearly made to pay when Keddies last minute header came close to an equaliser.

Old Firm rivals Celtic have the chance to close the gap when they take on Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.

Rangers made three changes to the side which lost against Kilmarnock last weekend as young Norwegian Thomas Bendiksen handed his competitive debut after impressing in a midweek friendly.

However, it was Aluko who created a chance with a minute as he broke down the right and crossed for Jelavic to fire over.

Steven Davis' lofted pass then found the Croatian in the box but he sent his downward header wide.

Bendiksen then set up Aluko on the edge of the box but he curled his shot over before Gregg Wylde stung the palms of Gallagher with a long-range strike.

The home side had been doing all the pressing and their pressure paid off when they took the lead in fortunate circumstances in the 22nd minute.

Gallagher received a pass on his line and his attempted kicked clearance cannoned off the back of Keddie in a crowded box and flew back past the keeper into the net.

Rangers were then awarded a 29th-minute penalty when Aluko was fouled by Mason in the box after a mazy run and Jelavic duly dispatched the spot-kick high past Gallagher, who dived the right way.

However, Dunfermline pulled one back two minutes later when Cardle received Martin Hardies pass on the left wing, cut inside and then fired low past McGregor from 20 yards.

Cardle tried to replicate his goal at the start of the second-half but the Dunfermline winger sent his shot well wide this time.

Aluko was terrorising the Dunfermline defence and after twisting and turning in the box the Nigerian saw his shot blocked by the legs of Keddie.

Jelavic headed wide from a Wylde cross before Gallagher made a fingertip save to deny his low angled shot from 10 yards.

The Pars continued to look for an equaliser and after Cardle beat Steven Whittaker down the left he crossed for Andy Barrowman, who volleyed just over.

Keddie then came close to a leveller with a header from a corner in the final minute that flew just over.

Elsewhere, Aberdeen dropped to the bottom as they lost 2-0 to Kilmarnock while Inverness Caledonian Thistle won 2-1 against St Mirren. Hearts lost the chance to move fourth as they were defeated 2-1 by St Johnstone.

Source: AFP