Late Papac goal sinks St Johnstone

Only the woodwork prevented St Johnstone taking a shock lead with just three minutes gone when Martin Hardie’s header cracked off Allan McGregor’s right-hand post.

Rangers failed to heed the warning signs and found themselves trailing with 17 minutes gone when Collin Samuel raced onto a superb ball from Murray Davidson before bearing down on goal and doing well to keep his composure and slot under McGregor.

But Rangers were back on level terms four minutes before the break anyway when a Kevin Thomson shot was inadvertently blocked by Papac and broke for Kris Boyd to rifle home.

And Papac (83) came to the rescue when he lashed the ball home to make it 2-1.