Gers steal a point

Motherwell were denied their first win over Rangers in almost five years when the Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders salvaged a point via a 1-1 draw from the trip to Fir Park.

An entertaining match saw the home side take the lead through Chris Porter, before Kris Boyd earned a draw from the penalty spot to prevent Rangers from heading home empty-handed.

The last time Well recorded a victory over Rangers was on Boxing Day 2002 when Scotland hero James McFadden grabbed the match winner.

Despite a few half-chances from Rangers, the home side were producing some nice football and, on 24 minutes, Motherwell were in the lead.

David Clarkson provided a superb pass through the Rangers defence which was gleefully pounced upon by Porter, who claimed his fifth goal of the season by slotting low past McGregor from 10 yards.

Rangers could have been back on level terms almost immediately but a powerful shot from Lee McCulloch crashed off the crossbar instead.

Then it was Motherwell's turn to be denied by the woodwork. Kevin Thomson was booked for a foul on Clarkson and Ross McCormack's free-kick left the crossbar shuddering.

Rangers were again denied the equaliser on the stroke of half-time when a Carlos Cuellar header was deflected on to the bar by former Gers midfielder Stephen Hughes, before David Weir's rebound was smothered by Smith.

Rangers brought on Jean-Claude Darcheville at the break, but he was forced to withdraw after 10 minutes and was replaced by DaMarcus Beasley.

However it was the American who helped haul Rangers back into the game, when he was felled in the box by Keith Lasley and this time the referee pointed to the spot - and Boyd stepped up to blast home from 12 yards and restore parity with 67 minutes gone.