There was just the one change from the midweek European tie, Porter started the game and Fitzpatrick moved to the bench. We reverted to 4-3-3 with Malcolm, Lasley and Hughes in the midfield supported by one or other or the strikers as required.
Stout defending
The first half got the spark the game needed after twenty minutes when Eddie Smith awarded three bookings in quick order. Quinn and Craigan were the Motherwell offenders while Weir annoyed the referee with his comments and entered the book. The resultant needle between the teams resulted in some meaty challenges as the play raged on.
Miller provided the main threat and he came close on 22 and 39 minutes. Craigan had his hands full dealing with Boyd but all the striker got from the game was a card for diving.
In the second half Motherwell kicked off and showed more of their attacking qualities. A good passing move ended with Clarkson racing to beat Alexander deep in the box. The ball came off the 'keeper and rolled to safety. Smith then had a good stop from a fierce Beasley effort.
Murphy replaced Sutton early in the half as McGhee tried to vary the attack but within two minutes we conceded the first goal.
Ten minutes later Hughes was replaced with Darren Smith and we fought for the equaliser with a very attack minded formation. The gamble failed when Novo pounced on the loose ball which followed Smith's palmed deflection of a cross from the right.
Murphy was finding some success on the right wing and our consolation goal came after he supplied Porter at the right side of the box. The cross set up Clarkson and he smashed the ball beyond Alexander for his fourth goal of the season.
Rangers held on for the remaining five minutes and the game was lost. We had defended stoutly for most of the game but there was an inevitability about the final outcome.
Now that the opening series of fixtures against last season's top six is behind us we have to ensure that we begin a winning run against St Mirren, Falkirk, Inverness, Kilmarnock and