Forres Mechanics 0 Rangers 1
KAL NAISMITH netted his first goal for Rangers as the Light Blues progressed through to the third round of the Scottish Cup against Forres Mechanics.
The 20-year-old forward broke the deadlock after just 14 minutes with a sweet left-foot strike following good wing play from Fraser Aird.
And his goal proved decisive as the visitors struggled break down the Highland League champions who were well organised and worked hard even after they were reduced to ten men midway through the second half.
Ally McCoist made two changes to the team that beat Motherwell 2-0 in midweek with Naismith making his first senior start for his club and Hutton retaining his place after his impressive display against the Steelmen.
In the build-up to the game the manager mentioned how important it was for his side to start positively and set the tempo.
They did that initially and in the opening ten minutes Rangers had a couple of early chances to take the lead.
Lee McCulloch had a net bound shot blocked and he also tried his luck with a clever lob which floated wide of Stuart Knight’s goal.
At the other end Forres’ number 11 Scott Moore darted into the Gers 18 yard box but Anestis Argyriou produced an excellent tackle just as the winger was about to shoot.
The opening goal arrived on 14 minutes and Aird was the architect.
The 17-year produced a burst of acceleration to get down the line and his left footed cross was missed by McCulloch but landed perfectly for Naismith who placed his shot accurately into the corner of the net.
After the goal Rangers kept the pressure on and on 18 minutes a 20-yard free-kick from McCulloch brought out a good save from Knight who dived to his left.
The Forres keeper then denied the Gers captain again from the same distance after he had played a one-two with his strike partner Naismith.
After the goal, however, Forres edged their way back into the game and a couple of excellent crosses caused problems for the Gers defence.
Indeed as half time approached Neil Alexander had to be alert to save Nathan Sharp’s header which was heading for the top corner.
There were no changes in personnel for the restart and once again the home side came out fighting as Rangers looked to extend their advantage.
On 56 minutes Aird cut in from the left flank and his shot from 20 yards was gathered by Knight.
But before the hour mark Forres should have levelled.
Left back Simon Allan curled a free-kick into the box and the unmarked Kyle Scott had his hands on his head after Alexander had saved his effort with his legs.
This miss proved so costly as just five minutes later centre half Sharp was sent off after his second booking.
The big stopper stuck out his hand to stop the ball as Lewis Macleod attempted to get past him and he started to walk even before ref Crawford Allan had flashed his red card.
But despite being a man down Forres continued to battle and the closest Rangers came to adding a second goal was when substitute Robbie Crawford, who had replaced Aird on 74 minutes, produced a great volley from a Macleod cross but Knight was there to tip the ball over the bar.
In the 87th minute the home support were on their feet when a Graham Fraser header from a Simon Allen corner flew inches wide of goal.
There was to be no late drama however and Rangers retained their lead until the ref's final whistle.
The Forres fans applauded their team's efforts as the players walked up the tunnel but it is Rangers that progress to the third round with the draw being made on Monday morning at Hamilton Racecourse.
FORRES: Knight, Fraser, Allan, Grant, Sharp, McPherson, McMullen, Duguid (McIntosh 73), Lawrie, Scott, Moore (Davidson 81)
Subs: Bremner, Stuart
RANGERS: Alexander, Faure, Emilson, Perry, Wallace, Argyriou (Kyle 60), Macleod, Hutton, Aird (Crawford 74), Naismith, McCulloch
Subs: Gallacher, Hegarty, McKay
Ref: Crawford Allen
KAL NAISMITH netted his first goal for Rangers as the Light Blues progressed through to the third round of the Scottish Cup against Forres Mechanics.
The 20-year-old forward broke the deadlock after just 14 minutes with a sweet left-foot strike following good wing play from Fraser Aird.
And his goal proved decisive as the visitors struggled break down the Highland League champions who were well organised and worked hard even after they were reduced to ten men midway through the second half.
Ally McCoist made two changes to the team that beat Motherwell 2-0 in midweek with Naismith making his first senior start for his club and Hutton retaining his place after his impressive display against the Steelmen.
In the build-up to the game the manager mentioned how important it was for his side to start positively and set the tempo.
They did that initially and in the opening ten minutes Rangers had a couple of early chances to take the lead.
Lee McCulloch had a net bound shot blocked and he also tried his luck with a clever lob which floated wide of Stuart Knight’s goal.
At the other end Forres’ number 11 Scott Moore darted into the Gers 18 yard box but Anestis Argyriou produced an excellent tackle just as the winger was about to shoot.
The opening goal arrived on 14 minutes and Aird was the architect.
The 17-year produced a burst of acceleration to get down the line and his left footed cross was missed by McCulloch but landed perfectly for Naismith who placed his shot accurately into the corner of the net.
After the goal Rangers kept the pressure on and on 18 minutes a 20-yard free-kick from McCulloch brought out a good save from Knight who dived to his left.
The Forres keeper then denied the Gers captain again from the same distance after he had played a one-two with his strike partner Naismith.
After the goal, however, Forres edged their way back into the game and a couple of excellent crosses caused problems for the Gers defence.
Indeed as half time approached Neil Alexander had to be alert to save Nathan Sharp’s header which was heading for the top corner.
There were no changes in personnel for the restart and once again the home side came out fighting as Rangers looked to extend their advantage.
On 56 minutes Aird cut in from the left flank and his shot from 20 yards was gathered by Knight.
But before the hour mark Forres should have levelled.
Left back Simon Allan curled a free-kick into the box and the unmarked Kyle Scott had his hands on his head after Alexander had saved his effort with his legs.
This miss proved so costly as just five minutes later centre half Sharp was sent off after his second booking.
The big stopper stuck out his hand to stop the ball as Lewis Macleod attempted to get past him and he started to walk even before ref Crawford Allan had flashed his red card.
But despite being a man down Forres continued to battle and the closest Rangers came to adding a second goal was when substitute Robbie Crawford, who had replaced Aird on 74 minutes, produced a great volley from a Macleod cross but Knight was there to tip the ball over the bar.
In the 87th minute the home support were on their feet when a Graham Fraser header from a Simon Allen corner flew inches wide of goal.
There was to be no late drama however and Rangers retained their lead until the ref's final whistle.
The Forres fans applauded their team's efforts as the players walked up the tunnel but it is Rangers that progress to the third round with the draw being made on Monday morning at Hamilton Racecourse.
FORRES: Knight, Fraser, Allan, Grant, Sharp, McPherson, McMullen, Duguid (McIntosh 73), Lawrie, Scott, Moore (Davidson 81)
Subs: Bremner, Stuart
RANGERS: Alexander, Faure, Emilson, Perry, Wallace, Argyriou (Kyle 60), Macleod, Hutton, Aird (Crawford 74), Naismith, McCulloch
Subs: Gallacher, Hegarty, McKay
Ref: Crawford Allen
