Three points for Rangers as Shiels scores winner

Rangers 1-0 Cowdenbeath

Emdad Rahman reports from Ibrox Stadium

28,000 fans watched Rangers earn a hard fought 1-0 win over Cowdenbeath to consolidate second spot behind Hearts of Midlothian in the race for the Scottish Championship. The laboured three points ensured a first win for Ally McCoist’s men in three games and was an improvement after last Wednesday’s shock Petrofac Training Cup semi final, in which Alloa came back from two goals down to defeat their illustrious opponents.

McCoist, who is adamant that he still has the backing of the Rangers board, made one change from the midweek loss. In the very first minute Lewis Milne of Cowdenbeath saw a shot from outside the box saved. Two minutes later Kris Boyd had a similar attempt blocked. Kenny Miller’s foul on Kyle Miller earned a yellow card in the 11th minute. Rangers pressed their home advantage, and in the 25th minute a smart and slick move from the Gers saw Dean Shiels’s left footer firmly strike against the post. The first half ended goalless and the home fans booed their team off at the interval.

The second half saw a Kris Boyd foul and a headed attempt on goal before Northern Irishman Dean Shiels took Kenny Miller’s headed assist to clinically finish off a Blues attack, beating Robbie Thomson and steering into the right corner on 58 minutes. Nicky Clark came off the bench and would have doubled the lead but for the composure of Thomson in goal. Cowdenbeath were organised and difficult to break down but posed no real threat to the Rangers rearguard as the home side held on for the three points.

There were no boos at the final whistle.

Referee: Graham Beaton
Man of the match Dean Shiels
Attendance: 28,137