Last Updated: Sunday, 29 January 2006, 15:52 GMT
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Inverness CT 2-3 Rangers
Kris Boyd scored twice for Rangers
Kris Boyd made it seven goals in four outings since his move from Kilmarnock as Rangers brought Caley Thistle's unbeaten run to an end after 11 games.
Thomas Buffel set up Boyd for a tap-in, but Craig Dargo slotted home his fifth goal in four games to equalise.
Marvin Andrews dived to deflect a corner home for Rangers' second.
Boyd scored from the penalty spot after Peter Lovenkrands was felled in the area, but Dennis Wyness headed in to give Inverness some late hope.
It signalled an end to Caley Thistle's run of three straight victories under Christie in his first game after being promoted from caretaker to permanent head coach.
And the three points took Rangers into third place in the Scottish Premier League above Hibernian and reduced the gap with leaders Celtic to 15 points.
Rangers had gone into the game without the injured Barry Ferguson, Fernando Ricksen taking over the captaincy and a midfield role, with Alan Hutton coming into the side at right-back.
But they were quickly into their stride - and an early lead.
Chris Burke ran at the heart of the Caley Thistle defence before slipping the ball through to Thomas Buffel.
And the Belgian's pass into the six-yard box left left Boyd with a simple tap-in.
Caley Thistle were quickly level after Ross Tokely miss-hit a speculative drive from 30 yards.
It turned into an inch-perfect pass to Dargo on the edge of the box and the striker curled his shot past the advancing Ronald Waterreus with the outside of his foot.
Bob Malcolm forced former Rangers goalkeeper Mark Brown to turn his 20-yard drive round the post and sent a header against the far post from the corner.
Brown pulled off a fine, one-handed save to turn wide a low Lovenkrands drive but was beaten from the resulting flag kick.
The diving Andrews forced his way between two defenders and the ball deflected past the keeper from five yards.
Brown prevented another goal with a point-blank save after Buffel burst into the box.
Rangers looked comfortable after the break against a side who seemed to miss the influence of suspended Ian Black in midfield.
And Brown produced a superb reaction save to palm clear a close-range Boyd header.
Darren Dods made a vital block after Peter Lovenkrands picked up the loose ball.
Caley Thistle squandered a chance when Wyness headed just over after being unmarked 10 yards out from a corner.
And they paid for that when Lovenkrands was sandwiched by two defenders as he sped into the box and Boyd rolled home the penalty kick.
Caley Thistle responded when a Wilson volley that was heading wide was diverted past Waterreus by the head of Wyness.
The Rangers goalkeeper scooped the ball off the goalline when a Dargo header was deflected off the hand of defender Ian Murray towards his own goal.
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Inverness CT: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Duncan, Fox, McBain, Dargo, Wyness.
Subs: Fraser, Golabek, McCaffrey, Hart, Proctor, McAllister, Bayne.
Rangers: Waterreus, Hutton, Andrews, Kyrgiakos, Murray, Burke, Malcolm, Ricksen, Buffel, Kris Boyd, Lovenkrands.
Subs: Klos, Alex Rae, Gavin Rae, Novo, Smith, Prso, Carcary.
Referee: A Freeland
SOURCE: BBC online
