Rangers miss chance to reclaim second spot after being held by Ross County
Rangers wasted the chance to reclaim second spot as they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Global Energy Stadium by Ross County.
Clint Hill put the Ibrox men in front after just eight minutes but they failed to build on their lead, with Kenny Miller and Joe Garner both squandering one-on-one opportunities.
The Gers frontmen were made to pay when Andrew Davies hit back for Jim McIntyre's basement boys midway through the first half but in the end it was a result that suited neither side.
The Light Blues - who have now dropped points seven times from just 12 games - now drop back to third only a week after moving into the Ladbrokes Premiership's runners-up slot while County stay bottom after racking up their 10th match without a win.
The Ibrox side were making their first ever visit to Dingwall on league business.
But it took them just eight minutes to settle into their new surroundings as Hill thumped home the opener from Josh Windass' corner after shrugging off Davies.
Davies thought he had made instant amends, only for James Tavernier to clear his header on the Rangers goal-line.
The County captain was caught out again when his Gers counterpart Lee Wallace robbed him 25 yards from the Light Blues' goal
That set-up a four-on-two breakaway but Miller could only prod into the side-netting.
Mark Warburton's team were taking chances themselves, though, especially with their insistence on passing out from the back
Keeper Wes Foderingham was twice left looking silly when he fluffed passes to team-mates.
But Rangers should have been two up after 22 minutes when Andy Halliday sent Garner through on goal after dispossessing Jay McEveley, but the former Preston striker fired straight at Scott Fox.
And the miss became even more costly as the Staggies levelled four minutes later.
This time it was Davies who got away from Hill to nod home from former Ibrox winger Chris Burke's corner, with the Rangers defender left furious when McEveley blocked the path as he tried to keep tabs with his man.
Gers did get the rub of the green just before the break, though, as referee Andrew Dallas failed to spot Foderingham blatantly handling a Tavernier pass-back two yards off his own line.
The second half took longer to warm up but tempers flared on 67 minutes when Jason Holt hit the deck theatrically inside the box following a challenge by Marcus Fraser.
Dallas was not fooled though as he booked the Rangers man for diving before giving Davies a ticking off after he angrily confronted the Ibrox midfielder.
The match was finally balanced as the clock ticked past 80 minutes and the nerves were ratcheted up
Tim Chow, Liam Boyce and Alex Schalk all had late chances for the hosts but failed to even hit the target.
Tavernier had one last go for Rangers but dragged his shot wide before Foderingham got lucky in stoppage time as Schalk's swerving shot flew off his shoulder and over the bar.
Source : DSG
Source: DSG