Rangers’ perfect record in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League was brought to an end on Saturday as they drew 1-1 with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Eric Odhiambo struck with nine minutes to go at Ibrox to see the Gers’ SPL lead reduced to one point, that after Maurice Edu had earlier given the hosts the lead.
It took Walter Smith’s men just 11 minutes to grab that lead. Steven Davis sent a long ball forward and American Edu collected and rammed it beyond Ryan Esson in the visitors’ goal.
Esson then saved from Kenny Miller as the Gers looked for a quick second before David Weir headed Vladimir Weiss’s cross over the bar.
There was little from Caley going forward in the first half, but they did at least keep the hosts to one, Ross Tokely defending brilliantly to take the ball from the feet of Kyle Lafferty late in the half as the Northern Ireland striker broke down on goal.
Steven Naismith and John Fleck replaced Edu and Weiss for the second half, but it was Davis who next went closest for Smith’s men as he dragged a shot just wide of Esson’s post.
Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor then had to be alert during a rare Caley attack as he tipped a Richie Foran header that bounced off the turf just over his own bar.
Both goalkeepers were impressing as Esson denied Fleck at the other end, and Miller then headed across goal and wide from a Fleck cross as Rangers failed to put the game to bed.
And they were punished as Foran sent substitute Odhiambo away and he poked the ball beyond McGregor for a great away point for Terry Butcher’s men.