Slender lead after second-half fightback

GOALS from Derek McInnes Ally McCoist and Gordan Petric last night gave Walter Smith's side a slender advantage to take to war torn Chechnya in a fortnight.

Smith's pre match observation that Rangers, even at home, would have to defend well against clever, quick and perceptive opponents had begun to look like clairvoyance long before the Russians took the lead after 28 minutes.

Compact and knowledgeable at the back, authoritative and composed in midfield and incisive in the forward areas, they frequently looked capable of taking advantage of the edge in match practice they had over the Scots.

Indeed, they would have led earlier but for Goram's fine save, leaping left to prevent Agaev's inventive chip from squeezing in at the post after the latter had combined well with Kasimov and wrong footed the Ibrox defence on the right side of the penalty area.

Perhaps the most telling difference between the sides for much of the time was the versatility of the Russians. Each player capable of filling in capably in every area of the field.

Agaev, nominated a defender, typified this characteristic with the move that had tested Goram. Alania also looked more comfortable with themselves during that period which was climaxed by the goal which gave them the lead.

There seemed to be little threat as Pagaev was fed wide on the left, when suddenly he burst past Cleland and pulled the ball back 20 yards towards Yanovsky.

The big midfielder, who had virtually orchestrated the Russian momentum, moved forward and sent the left f6t shot along the ground and into the far corner of Goram's net from just outside the penalty box on the left.

Rangers' scoring attempts during the first half had brought mainly contemptuous responses from their supporters. McCoist was particularly disdained, having misplaced two headers, the first too high from an early cross from Cleland and the second, from Laudrup, straight at Kramarenko.

Rangers, however, deserve great credit for the spirit which vengeful retaliation in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Not only did the Ibrox side disturb the easy rhythm of their visitors with strength and commitment, but with some fancy football along the way.

That sustained imposition of their will brought two goals and a lead which had seemed unlikely in the extreme as they left the field at the interval.

McCoist and Laudrup had already combined to bring a good save from Kramarenko by the time the pressure was rewarded with a 51st minute equaliser. McCall's cross from the left was met by Albertz and the German's header was heading for the target when Kornienko knocked it off the line. But McInnes, who had replaced Ferguson in the 20th minute, drove the loose ball past a clutter of bodies and over the line from 18 yards.

McCoist, who had been given a severe time by the home fans, gave Rangers the lead just nine minutes later. This time it was Durie who had the assist, fighting hard to retain possession on the right and delivering the centre knee high.

McCoist, coming to meet the ball from the left, got in front of his marker and right footed it away to the right of Kramarenko from 12 yards. At the height of this black period for the Russians, calamity arrived when Pagaeve, booked earlier for a foul on Laudrup, was dismissed for a second caution able offence, a trip on Durie.

Petric headed the third with 11 minutes left, steering home from a McInnes cross before embarking on a crazy run of celebration with his shirt above his head.

It earned him a booking from German referee Markhus Merk and the official was pointing to the penalty spot 30 seconds later as Goram felled substitute Oleg Sergeev.

Incredibly, Yanovsky stepped up and hit the spot kick past Goram's right hand post to leave it at 3-1.

Alania Vladikavkaz's coach, Valery Gazzayev, insisted he is still "optimistic" of dumping Rangers out of the cup.

Gazzayev promised a hot reception for Walter Smith's men, when they visit the war torn VIadikavkaz in Chechnya in a fortnight.

"I am still optimistic," insisted Gazzayev, who also criticised the German referee Markhus Merk's red card for Arthur Pagaeve.

"These preliminary round matches are always decided in the second match and that will be the" case here.

"We let Rangers back into the game after leading 1-0 at halftime. It was us that let them into the game rather than anything. else.

Rangers boss Walter Smith said. "We have given ourselves a change for the second leg in Russia.

"After seeing them, we know more about them now and we face a difficult tie over there but we showed tonight we can make chances.

"They have to come out and score a couple, of goals and that, might help us.

Smith praised substitute Derek McInnes, who scored his first goal for the club to make it 1-1, after coming on for Ian Ferguson.

"To come on and make your European debut like that said a lot for Derek and the way he played," said Smith.

Ally McCoist claimed the Rangers scoring record in Europe, with his 13th strike in Continental competition and his first for almost four years.

"I have waited a long time to score in Europe and I hope I can get a few more in Europe this season," said McCoist.

"There is still a bit to go in the tie but I don't think they will play any differently over there.

Russian Pagaeve was red carded after 63 minutes for a double booking but coach Gazzayev said. It was a terrible decision by the referee. It was an elementary challenge and there was no foul play at all.