Dunfermline 0-1 Rangers

2Slick

Rangers continued their recovery under new boss Walter Smith with a narrow win against Dunfermline.

Charlie Adam gave Rangers the lead after nine minutes when he converted Nacho Novo's low cross from six yards.

The Pars failed to create anything of note in the first half - and had two unsuccessful penalty appeals.

Jim Hamilton spurned a great chance to equalise with 10 minutes remaining when he headed over Adam Hammill's cross from six yards.

Interview: Rangers manager Walter Smith
Interview: Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny

Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny made four changes following last week's 1-0 defeat by Falkirk.

Goalkeeper Dorus De Vries returned for the Pars, replacing Roddie McKenzie, while Gary Mason, Phil McGuire and Jim Hamilton were in the starting line-up following suspensions.

Rangers boss Walter Smith made two changes after last week's 5-0 win over Dundee United.

Jeremy Clement was missing from the squad through illness, so Brahim Hemdani was switched from centre-half to midfield and new signing David Weir was handed his debut in defence.

Dado Prso - out for at least a month with a hamstring injury - was replaced by Novo.

Novo could have given Rangers a dream start in the first minute when Phil McGuire slipped to allow him to race towards goal.

But his shot was partially blocked by De Vries and the ball was cleared.

Adam gave Rangers the lead when he converted Novo's low cross from inside the six-yard box.

Nacho Novo and Charlie Adam
Adam's goal was enough to give Rangers victory

De Vries produced a fantastic save five minutes later to deny Barry Ferguson after he collected Adam's headed pass and shot from 18 yards.

Dunfermline struggled to make an impact in a first half largely dominated by the visitors.

Pars striker Stevie Crawford appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty when Svensson blocked his goal-bound shot.

The Pars also appealed for a spot kick when Adam appeared to handle the ball in the box, but the referee rejected the claim.

Kris Boyd, normally razor sharp in front of goal, spurned a number of headed chances for the visitors.

Rangers failed to make the points safe early in the second half, despite enjoying territorial advantage, and the flow of the game was disrupted by fouling by both sides.

Dunfermline defender Scott Wilson made a number of excellent challenges in the box to deny Rangers a second goal.

Hamilton could have made the visitors pay for their profligacy with 10 minutes remaining but he headed over from close range.

Dunfermline: De Vries, Shields, McGuire, Wilson, Scott Morrison, Ross (McIntyre 77), Mason, Ryan (Hamill 46), O'Brien (Muirhead 77), Hamilton, Crawford. Subs Not Used: McKenzie, McCunnie, Woods, Williamson.

Booked: McGuire, Ross, Hamilton, O'Brien.

Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Svensson, Weir, Murray, Burke (Buffel 70), Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam, Novo (Sebo 90), Kris Boyd. Subs Not Used: Klos, Papac, Rae, Lennon, Lowing.

Booked: Ferguson, Novo, Weir.

Goals: Adam 9.

Att: 7,868

Ref: J Underhill