Smith happy with ref calls

Rangers boss Walter Smith insists he had no complaints about the performance of referee Craig Thomson despite having a goal disallowed and conceding a penalty against St Mirren.

The Scottish champions earned a 3-1 win over Saints in Paisley to allow them to reclaim top spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, thanks to an own goal by Marc McAusland and strikes from Steven Naismith and Kenny Miller.

They could have been ahead earlier in the game when Naismith and goalkeeper Craig Samson combined to put the ball in the back of the net shortly before the end of a goalless first half, only for the effort to be chalked off. Thomson apparently deemed Naismith to have fouled Jure Travner in the build-up and Smith was willing to accept that explanation at a time when match officials have been increasingly under the spotlight.

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He said: "The referee said there was a foul in the box, on another player but not on the goalkeeper, and that's that. It was hardly an injustice. Injustice is a strong word. If the referee sees another infringement and explains it, then that's fine."

Saints pulled a goal back late on when substitute Michael Higdon converted from the penalty spot after Steven Davis was ruled to have handled in the box.

Smith added: "With Davis it clearly hits him on the arm. We are not arguing about that."