Smith grateful as Boyd grabs point for Rangers

RANGERS manager Walter Smith was pleased to see Kris Boyd back on the scoresheet against Motherwell – but admits his side did nowhere near enough to win the game.

The striker marked his first start since recovering from a hernia operation with his 20th goal of the season to earn a share of the points in the 1-1 draw at Fir Park.

Tom Hateley – son of former Ibrox hero Mark – claimed the opener for the hosts before Ross Forbes wrongly had a goal disallowed for offside.

But it was Boyd who had the final say as he rescued a point for an under-par Rangers side.

"It's always nice to see him get a goal and he is always in there," said Smith.

"If we had applied the level of pressure in the first half as we did in the second half, then we would have had more opportunities. We didn't and that was a disappointing factor."

Rangers now sit eight points clear at the summit of the SPL.

Motherwell manager Craig Brown may have felt a sense of injustice over a disallowed goal but was keen to praise his players as his unbeaten spell in the SPL continues since he took charge.

He said: "I'm pleased that we confirmed our recent good form is not just a flash in the pan. I think we're a good side and capable of taking on anyone."