Rangers promotion hopes hit by 3-1 Motherwell defeat

ByReuters

Published 28/05/2015 at 21:04 GMT

Rangers' hopes of returning to the Scottish Premier League (SPL) for the first time since 2012 were dealt a severe blow when they were beaten 3-1 by Motherwell in the first leg of their playoff final at Ibrox on Thursday.

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

Lee Erwin's heavily deflected shot gave the visitors a 27th minute lead and Stephen McManus' header 13 minutes later doubled their advantage.

Lionel Ainsworth fired home an emphatic third in the 47th minute as Motherwell continued to dominate the match.

Rangers' Darren McGregor pulled a goal back for the 54-times Scottish champions in the 82nd minute before team mate Kris Boyd had an effort ruled out for offside.

Champions League

Exclusive: Silva says 'hungry' Man City want to 'repeat' winning feeling

Yesterday at 20:47

Motherwell, who finished second-bottom in the SPL, held on to record their first victory at Ibrox since 1997.

Rangers, who came third in the Championship (second tier) and beat Hibernian in the playoff semi-final, were placed into administration and liquidation in 2012 before being forced to re-enter in the lowest professional league in Scotland.

Their bid for a third successive promotion is hanging by a thread ahead of the second leg at Fir Park on Sunday.

Champions League

Exclusive: Guardiola demands Man City 'do better' in second leg with Madrid

Yesterday at 20:46

Bundesliga

'Let his team down' - Keita suspended by Werder Bremen after refusing to travel

Yesterday at 18:56

Champions League

Dortmund win six-goal thriller as Atleti exit Champions League

Yesterday at 21:37

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me