Football: Raith ruffled by Hateley

Rangers . . . . .2

Raith Rovers. . .2

HE CONTINUES to be ignored by his countrymen in England, but Mark Hateley keeps proving that when it comes to leading a front line and scoring goals there are few better anywhere on this island.

Just when it appeared as though Rangers were stumbling towards what would have been their fourth home defeat of the season, the Englishman took it upon himself to pull them out of trouble, although even his heroics could not deny a spirited Raith Rovers side.

Hateley scored twice in a 12-minute second-half spell after Raith had benefited from an appalling error of judgement by referee Hugh Dallas. Gary Stevens pursued Gordon Dalziel into Rangers' box in 59 minutes and the Raith striker fell over. He had been unmolested by Stevens, but the referee, who was at least 40 yards behind the incident, gave the penalty. Dalziel picked himself up to score.

The Ibrox side were incensed, gulped in more oxygen and swept forward, their equaliser two minutes later born of a sense of injustice and aggression. Stuart McCall careered through a tackle, cut left and then sent the ball to the far post where Hateley rose and powered in a header.

The striker took his tally for the season to 14 when he scored from the penalty spot after Ian Durrant had been pushed over by John McStay in 73 minutes.

At that point most of the 42,611 supporters inside Ibrox were celebrating victory, but they were silenced 11 minutes from time.

Ally Graham stole in at the far post to head in Jason Rowbotham's deep cross delivered from the left wing.

McCall was booked in the final minute after he had gone down in Raith's box at the end of a twisting run. He felt he had been fouled by McStay, but the referee decided the Rangers' midfield player had dived.