Rangers remain top after 2-1 win over Motherwell

Rangers beat Motherwell 2-1 thanks to second-half goals from Steven Davis and Nacho Novo yesterday to stay three points clear of Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic won 3-1 in a later match at Kilmarnock with Greek striker Georgios Samaras scoring twice.

David Clarkson hooked a late consolation goal for Motherwell but manager Mark McGhee was bitterly disappointed.

"I felt it was the worst performance that we have had since I have been at the football club," he said.

Davis clipped a neat shot over sprawling keeper Graeme Smith to give Rangers the lead on 56 minutes after Kenny Miller flicked on a long kick out by keeper Neil Alexander.

Spanish striker Nacho Novo bundled in the second in the 75th, just three minutes after coming on as a substitute for American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley.

Smith dived out to push away a low cross from Miller but the ball struck Novo as he slid in and it bounced back over the line.

Shaun Maloney missed a 19th minute penalty for Celtic by slashing his shot wide of the right post but he made amends by curling in the opener from 18 metres seven minutes later.