Hibernian 1 Rangers 2

Last updated : 02 May 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Rangers kept up the pressure on second-placed Hearts thanks to two goals from Kris Boyd at Easter Road.

Boyd's goals either side of half-time were enough to beat a spirited but largely toothless Hibs side.

Boyd signalled his intent as early as the 16th minute when Chris Burke played him through, looking a little offside Boyd took the ball to an angle, but Zbigniew Malkowski blocked the chance.

Hibs looked the more dangerous side early on though, pegging the visitors back in the opening stages of the game, however they couldn't find the killer touch and struggled to threaten the Gers goal.

Rangers then punished the home team after 35 minutes, when on the break Dado Prso slipped the ball left to Thomas Buffel, who then centred the ball past the oncoming keeper into Boyd's path for a simple finish.

The away team then tested the home goalkeeper straight after half-time. Peter Lovenkrands, a half-time sub, forced Malkowski to tip the ball around the post.

Hibs again struggled with the killer touch until the 60th minute when Paul Dalglish had their first shot on target and Hibs, having a frantic three minutes, had several more attempts to no avail.

Hibs then fought their way back into the game, a Derek Riordan free-kick deflecting off Brahim Hemdani into the Rangers goal.

Only two minutes later though Boyd popped up again, beating Malkowski from a tight angle.

Rangers still had work to do though, but Hibs could not find another meaningful effort to salvage a point.