The home side were missing Stephen Hughes from the midfield after he tore a hamstring against Celtic on Saturday, but Jim Paterson and Paul Quinn recovered from knocks they picked up during that defeat to face Walter Smith's men. Phil O'Donnell came in to replace Hughes. Chris Porter dropped to the bench, as Marc Fitzpatrick joined Ross McCormack up front. Kris Boyd came back into the starting eleven for Rangers, having been on the bench for recent important matches in the Scottish Premier League and the Champions League. The first half was notable for the sound of referee Iain Brines' whistle. Both sides have shown how well they can pass the ball in matches this season, yet a series of niggly fouls and over-officious refereeing hampered the flow of the game. There were four first-half bookings. Stephen Maguire, Marc Fitzpatrick and Phil O'Donnell went into the book for Motherwell, while Barry Ferguson was the sole Ranger yellow carded. The Rangers captain Barry Ferguson almost gave the Ibrox side the perfect start when he hit the post with a free-kick 20 yards out in the third minute, after Phil O'Donnell had fouled Kevin Thomson. In 18 minutes Jim Paterson put in a great cross which was met by Keith Lasley, but his effort went just wide of Alan McGregor's post Four minutes later Rangers took the lead. Kris Boyd set up strike partner Nacho Novo, who smashed it into the net from ten yards for his sixth goal of the season. Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was an animated figure on the touchline, believing a Rangers player had obstructed his goalkeeper. Aside from Lasley's header, Motherwell's best chances came from Ross McCormack. The former Rangers striker launched a series of free-kicks, the best of which went under the visitors' wall, but McGregor scrambled to get his body behind it. In 41 minutes, Walter Smith ran out of his dugout and on to the pitch to vent his fury at Iain Brines' decision not to award Rangers a penalty when Graeme Smith brought down Nacho Novo. It seemed a clear penalty kick but given the feeling of injustice felt by the home side, it could be argued the decision evened out earlier incorrect decisions. Motherwell started the second half with a sense of purpose and looked the livelier side. However, Rangers doubled their advantage when they broke up the park in 53 minutes. Novo fed Boyd from the inside left channel and he drilled the ball the net under Graeme Smith from 12 yards. The Steelmen brought on striker Chris Porter for Keith Lasley in an attempt to bring themselves back into the game, but all too often their striking trio struggled to find a way past Weir and Cuellar. They did have Rangers rattled in the final quarter of the match, as first a left-foot volley by Stephen Maguire and then a drilled shot by Stephen Craigan put the pressure on McGregor and his defence. Daniel Cousin replaced Kris Boyd with eight minutes remaining. In the final minute of regulation time, Paul Quinn pounced to lash home from six yards to grab a consolation goal for Motherwell. Motherwell : Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, Maguire, Lasley, O'Donnell, Fitzpatrick, McCormack, Clarkson. Subs : Meldrum, Mensing, Porter, Grabban, Kinniburgh. Rangers : McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Beasley, Ferguson, Thomson, McCulloch, Boyd, Novo. Subs : Carroll, Ehiogu, Faye, Whittaker, Cousin. Referee : I Brines
Source: BBC Sport
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