Dean Shiels struck late to earn Rangers 2-1 win over Queen of the South in Scottish Championship play-off quarter-final first leg
Saturday 9 May 2015 19:46, UK
A late Dean Shiels goal earned Rangers a 2-1 win over Queen of the South in the Scottish Championship play-off quarter-final first leg.
Derek Lyle's header looked set to send the Doonhammers to the return leg at Ibrox on level terms - but Shiels headed a winner 15 minutes from time to put the Glasgow club firmly in the driving seat.
Lyle threatened early on but was denied by Cammy Bell and Rangers quickly seized the initiative thereafter with Haris Vuckic the chief architect.
The Newcastle loanee provided the pass for Kenny Miller to net only to see the offside flag and was then off-target with an effort of his own before Shiels got his first sight of goal - forcing Zander Clark into a smart stop.
Mark Durnan and Andy Murdoch missed chances at either end before the visitors snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time, when Steven Smith rattled home a sensational free-kick off the bar and in to leave Clark with no chance.
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The home goalkeeper had to be at his best to prevent both Smith and Miller extending the lead in the early stages of the second half and the hosts were level on the hour when Lyle nodded home a corner at the far post.
Rangers regrouped quickly, though, and restored their advantage in the 75th minute - excellent work down the right from Richard Foster culminating in an inviting cross that Shiels flicked deftly beyond Clark and into the corner from five yards.
The same combination nearly yielded another goal in the closing stages with Shiels firing off-target, but Rangers will start the second leg on May 17 as clear favourites to make the semi-finals.
