Buddies hold out for replay

Posted Sunday, February 07, 2010 by PA

Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller both made their comebacks for Rangers but could not prevent their Active Nation Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren being forced to a replay after a 0-0 draw.

The strike duo were both back from injury and thrown into the fifth round tie in the second half in a bid to see the holders take another step towards retaining the trophy.

But neither side - who meet again in next month's Co-operative Insurance Cup final - could find the back of the net with the tie now set to be decided at Ibrox when the two clubs do battle again on Wednesday week.

Walter Smith made four changes from the midweek win over St Johnstone, with Madjid Bougherra making his first appearance since the end of December after returning from international duty at the African Nations Cup and replacing the suspended David Weir.

Steven Naismith, Kirk Broadfoot and goalkeeper Allan McGregor also started, with Neil Alexander and Nacho Novo on the bench and John Fleck missing from the squad.

St Mirren were unchanged and started with strike duo Michael Higdon and Billy Mehmet - the latter having scored the goal against Hearts which saw the Paisley club seal a place in the League Cup final.

Saints were under pressure when Kevin Thomson embarked on a surging run before spraying the ball out to Steven Davis. He whipped into the path of Kyle Lafferty in the goalmouth but John Potter was able to intercept and allow goalkeeper Paul Gallacher to smother.

The home side had a decent chance when Andy Dorman found Higdon and he unleashed from the edge of the box only for Allan McGregor to gather comfortably.

Rangers could have been ahead after the break when Bougherra burst through the middle before lofting into the path of Naismith but Gallacher raced off his line to clear before the striker could unleash the shot.

The defender then came to the rescue twice in quick succession for Rangers. A Mehmet cross from the right found Higdon and his close-range header was hooked to safety by Bougherra.