Penalty miss helps Gers on their way in opener

CHAMPIONSHIP: Rangers claim points after Buddie’s spot-kick blunder

Rangers got their Ladbrokes Championship promotion bid off to a winning start last night as they beat St Mirren at Ibrox – but only after Buddies captain Stevie Thompson let them off the hook.

Mark Warburton’s team dominated possession with some cavalier football and grabbed an early two-goal lead thanks to skipper Lee Wallace’s double.

But they failed to press home their superiority and were pegged back as Cameron Howieson struck for Saints.

Thompson should have squared the match from the penalty spot, but the exGers striker skied his attempt.

Dean Shiels’ scrambled effort in injury time sealed the points.

Warburton dropped David Templeton and Shiels despite both giving effective displays in the League Cup win over Peterhead.

Jason Holt and youngster Tom Walsh took their places, while Howieson replaced Lewis Morgan for the visitors.

After walking out to an atmosphere reminiscent of Champions League nights of old, Rangers got exactly the start they were looking for in front of 49,000 fans.

Saints survived three early corners but from the fourth Danny Wilson headed down and Wallace rammed it high into the net after just four minutes.

There was more home jubilation on 26 minutes as Barry McKay and Holt combined to slice open the St Mirren back four and Wallace slotted home.

A minute after going 2-0 down, though, on-loan Celtic youngster Paul McMullen weighted a perfect through ball for Howieson, who dented the party atmosphere by beating Gers keeper Wes Foderingham.

James Waghorn, Holt and Walsh all posed a threat before the break but 10 minutes into the second half James Tavernier’s trip on McMullen handed Saints a spot-kick. Thompson ballooned his effort high and wide.

Rangers continued to pile forward, and Shiels put the matter to rest as he kneed the ball home at the second attempt from Templeton’s cross. Attendance: 49,216. Rangers: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Danny Wilson, Wallace, Holt (Shiels 61), Halliday, Law, McKay (Templeton84), Waghorn, Walsh(Clark 61). Subs not used: Thompson, Aird, Kelly, Hardie.

St Mirren: Ridgers, Naismith, Conlan, Baird, Kelly, McMullan, Howieson (Morgan 67), Carswell, Agnew, Mallan (Gow 82), Thompson (Gallagher 73). Subs not used: Goodwin, McLear, Cuddihy, Wilks.

Referee: Kevin Clancy.

Picture: SNS Group. James Waghorn and Jason Holt take to the air to celebrate with Lee Wallace after the Rangers captain’s second goal of the night put Rangers 2-0 up.