7.30pm

Ricky's report of the Rangers game is now available.

4.30pm

Today's result: Motherwell 2, Rangers 3.

We went down 3-2 to Rangers in this afternoon's live TV match, despite a stirring comeback which saw us fighting back from 3-0 down.  An eventful 90 mins saw Motherwell awarded a penalty (and have a couple more turned down), while Rangers' Barry Ferguson was sent off for throwing a punch at 'Well sub Richie Foran.

With Phil O'Donnell injured and Jim Hamilton suspended, David Clarkson partnered Scott McDonald in attack and Martyn Corrigan moved to midfield, with Paul Quinn filling in at right-back.  Brian Kerr and Gerry Britton were named among the substitutes.

We started the match poorly, and just like the cup final we went a goal behind early on.  The ball was not properly cleared by the defence, and Vignal took full advantage to fire into the top corner from just outside the penalty box.  Rangers went on to dominate the first half, and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead after 32 mins when Vignal glanced his header past a very suspect looking Gordon Marshall.  Our only decent effort of the opening 45 mins was a long range Scott Leitch shot which was saved by Waterreus.

Rangers looked to have the match sewn up when they added a third goal shortly after the restart, and once again Marshall didn't cover himself in glory when he came off his line and got nowhere near the ball, allowing Prso an easy header to make it 3-0.  Yet after 70 mins we got an unexpected lifeline when Bob Malcolm handled in the box, and Kevin McBride fired home the resultant penalty to bring us back into the game.  Shortly afterwards, Foran flew into a tackle on Ferguson, and the Rangers midfielder retaliated by lashing out at the 'Well substitute.  Foran was booked for the initial tackle, while Fergsuon, who had earlier been booked, saw a second yellow, although quite why it wasn't a straight red I'll never know.  With a one man advantage we pressed forward at every opportunity, and Martyn Corrigan set up a grandstand finale when his long range effort was deflected beyond Waterreus to make it 2-3.  We threw everyone forward in search of an equaliser, but it wasn't to be and Rangers held on for a narrow victory.

Despite the stirring comeback, it was disappointing that we didn't start to play until we were 3-0 down and the game was virtually outwith our reach.  Gordon Marshall clearly hasn't watched his cup final video and learned from his mistakes, as was definitely at fault for goals two and three.  Perhaps it's time to give Corr a run in the team, especially with next season in mind.

I have to make a special mention of today's match officials, who were all so completely incompetent it was unbelievable - and that goes for BOTH sides.  We had a few other decent penalty claims turned down, and when Malcolm hauled down Quinn in the second half it seemed a much stronger shout for a spot kick than the one we got.  Both Foran and McDonald could easily have walked, while both linesman's offside decisions were a complete lottery.

Oh well, at least we got a cracking last 20 mins, and the lads came close to sneaking a point when all seemed lost.  Plus, the other results this weekend went our way, and despite the defeat we're still looking good for a place in the top six.

Team (4-4-2): Marshall, Quinn, Craigan, Partridge, Hammell, McBride, Corrigan, Leitch, Paterson (Foran 59), Clarkson (Britton 81), McDonald.
Subs not used: Corr, Kerr, Wright, Kinniburgh, Fitzpatrick.

Booked: McDonald, Clarkson, Foran, Craigan.

Attendance: 10,210.

Terry Butcher's post-match reaction was as follows:
"It was too little, too late. We gave Rangers far too much respect.  When Barry was sent off, it gave us the belief that was not there for the first hour. I am very disappointed that we didn't have that belief.  We will have to learn to respect no-one. We have to learn to hate people. We are too nice at times.

"That's the fourth time in four matches that we have conceded an early goal. We were playing with one boot off.  We possibly might have got something out of the game but overall Rangers were worthy winners. I'm just disappointed we didn't turn up until 20 minutes to go.  We are getting better though - we didn't turn up for 88 the last time."

Butcher also confirmed that Phil O'Donnell is out for the rest of the season as he needs an operation on an Achilles problem.

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