NK Maribor 2 - 1 Rangers: Last-gasp winner denies visitors share of spoils

Rangers were denied a draw against Maribor in the first leg of their Europa League play-off at the Stadion Ljudski vrt thanks to a last-gasp winner on the night from the Slovenians.

Juan Manuel Ortiz netted his first goal for Rangers when he fired the Ibrox side into a first-half lead, but Agim Ibraimi levelled after the break before substitute Etien Velikonja found the back of the net in injury time.

Rangers must now hope they can rescue the tie at Ibrox and book their place in the group stages following the disappointment of crashing out of Champions League qualifying.

Carlos Bocanegra was handed his Rangers debut from the start after signing from St Etienne on Wednesday night as manager Ally McCoist made a dramatic late swoop to add to his squad ahead of Uefa's signing deadline.

The USA skipper was granted international clearance just hours before the clash in Slovenia, allowing him to partner Dorin Goian in central defence.

Lee McCulloch was added to the side after recovering from a knee injury, while Kyle Lafferty was named on the bench for the first time this season following a hernia operation.

• In pictures: NK Maribor 2 - 1 Rangers

Rangers were put under early pressure when a Bocanegra error allowed Ales Mertelj to unleash a shot which was blocked by Allan McGregor.

At the other end, Nikica Jelavic had the chance to find the back of the net when a corner broke to him in front of goal but his first effort was blocked before he fired wide from the rebound. Jelavic then attempted to turn provider for Ortiz with a tempting cross from the right but the danger was cleared before he could connect.

The home side had enjoyed much of the possession without really taking advantage and they found themselves trailing when Rangers surged into the lead after 31 minutes thanks to Ortiz.

The Spaniard started the move by finding Kirk Broadfoot out on the right flank, before racing into the box where he was waiting to collect the return pass and flick home from six yards. Steven Naismith picked up the first booking of the game six minutes later for a challenge on Mitja Viler, before Dejan Mezga's free-kick swerved inches wide after Maurice Edu had conceded a foul on the edge of the area.

Naismith was withdrawn at half-time, with McCoist perhaps mindful of the two red cards his side picked up against Malmo, allowing Lafferty to make his first appearance this term.Maribor were back on level terms after 52 minutes when Ibraimi collected on the corner of the box from a throw-in and sent a powerful left-foot shot past McGregor.

Rangers could have restored their lead when Jelavic set up a shot for Edu but his drive from distance fell just wide.

Jelavic felt he was held in the box by Arghus Soares Bordignon and an angry exchange of words took place between the two players as the action raged on at the other end of the park.

Maribor put their visitors under pressure with a free-kick 25 yards out and, again, Mezga's effort fizzed past the post.

Rangers then had an opportunity of their own as Jelavic nodded narrowly past the upright from Lee Wallace's corner.

But it was Maribor who had the net bulging in injury time when Mezga teed up the shot for substitute Velikonja, who back-heeled over the line.

Maribor: Handanovic, Mejac, Rajcevic, Arghus, Viler, Ibraimi (Milec 86), Mezga, Mertelj, Filipovic (Cvijanovic 68), Beric, Volas (Velikonja 79). Subs not used: Radan, Potokar, Trajkovski, Dodlek.

Rangers: McGregor, Goian, Broadfoot, Wallace, Juanma Ortiz, Edu, McCulloch, Davis, Jelavic, Naismith (Lafferty 46), Bocanegra. Subs not used: Alexander, Fleck, Healy, McMillan, Wylde, Perry.