Rangers record first win under Kenny McDowall with defeat of Dumbarton

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/03/rangers-dumbarton-scottish-championship-match-report

Version 0 of 1.

Kenny McDowall secured his first win as caretaker manager as Rangers ground out a win over Dumbarton.

McDowall was given a painful introduction to the job last week when his side were humiliated 4-0 by Hibernian in Edinburgh but they responded to Andy Graham’s opener for the visitors with first-half strikes from Jon Daly and Lee Wallace to give McDowall something to smile about. Dean Shiels sealed the victory in stoppage time but only after Rangers had survived a few harum-scarum moments in their own box late on.

It was far from a perfect display but Rangers did show some slight progress as they trimmed Hearts’ Championship lead back to 13 points.

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed before kick-off as Rangers paid tribute to the 66 fans who lost their lives in the Ibrox disaster, which occurred on 2 January, 1971. But there was also an air of expectation around the stadium before kick-off following share purchases made by Dave King and the Three Bears consortium of Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor. The wealthy supporters face a battle in their mission to oust Mike Ashley from Ibrox but the fight to get the team back to its former heights could be even tougher.

McDowall dropped Ian Black, Fraser Aird and Nicky Clark following that Easter Road defeat but the frailties were still clear to be seen, as Dumbarton proved by taking a shock lead after 15 minutes. Chris Turner’s corner was floated long to the back post. Either Lee McCulloch or goalkeeper Steve Simonsen should have dealt with it but instead and Colin Nish was allowed to nod it down for Graham, who forced the ball over the line.

The ragged Rangers defence was all over the place moments later as the former Hibernian striker Nish was allowed to go unmarked before heading straight at Simonsen – prompting another angry outburst from the home support.

Rangers had not lost to Dumbarton since 1895 and their worst fears were soon relieved as Daly levelled. Steven Smith’s low cross from the left clipped off defender Lee Mair before cannoning on to Daly’s knee and bouncing past the wrong-footed Dumbarton goalkeeper Danny Rogers.

Rangers continued to press but had to wait until three minutes before the break before adding a second goal. Having endured so much lifeless football of late, the home fans were treated to a beauty of a goal. Richard Foster sent a clearance up to Kenny Miller, whose control was perfect before he found David Templeton. The winger kept the pace of the move going as he switched the ball back out to the left for Smith who drove forward before finding Wallace on the edge of the box. The left-back’s first touch set him nicely before he rifled his low shot in off the base of the post.

Now in front, Rangers started the second period looking more self-assured. Kenny Miller fired just wide after a driving run, while Kyle Hutton could only shoot over after some patient buildup play teed him up 25 yards out. A Foster cross placed right on to Miller’s head deserved better than to be nodded wide just after the hour mark.

Smith was Rangers’ best performer but he was left to trudge off 10 minutes from time with a red face. After darting down the left the midfielder was just about to pull the trigger when he stumbled forward and landed flat on his face. There was no time to redeem himself as he was replaced by Shiels.

The calm disposition of Rangers, however, was shattered in the last few frantic moments. First, the substitute Aird had to block Mitch Megginson’s close-range attempt before Chris Kane wasted a chance to snatch a point when he volleyed over as the match moved into stoppage time. Shiels made sure of the win as he slotted home in injury time after Clark – another second-half replacement – led a swift breakaway.