Nacho Novo eased the pressure on Rangers after a turbulent week by helping them to a 2-0 win over St Johnstone to book a fifth-round meeting with Forfar in the Homecoming Scottish Cup.

Rangers again looked unconvincing against a team who ran them so close in last season's semi-final but managed to bring the Irn-Bru First Division side's 14-game unbeaten run to an end.

Stuart McCaffrey provided a much-needed boost just before half-time when he bundled into his own net before Novo came off the substitutes' bench to secure the victory late on.

This match should have been all about Rangers beginning their defence of the Scottish Cup but was dominated by events off the park instead, with the club's finances firmly in the spotlight after admitting they needed to sell one of their top players this month.

Kris Boyd looked set for the exit door after a bid was agreed with Birmingham. The move has so far stalled over personal terms but skipper Barry Ferguson, goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Pedro Mendes and Madjid Bougherra are other names in the frame for a possible January departure.

Travelling fans made their feelings against chairman Sir David Murray known ahead of kick-off with a banner declaring 'David Murray Must Go' while Saints took the opportunity to wind up their visitors by blasting out cash-related tunes such as 'Money's Too Tight to Mention' and 'Money, Money, Money.'

Forfar booked themselves a money-spinning tie against Rangers with a crushing 6-1 victory over Forres Mechanics.

Five goals from the Irn-Bru Third Division side ended the contest before half-time and they wrapped things up after the break as they completely outclassed the Highland League outfit.

Graeme Gibson started rout after only two minutes and an own goal from Forres' Bruce Milne two minutes later left the visitors with a mountain to climb.

They looked to have thrown themselves a lifeline when Ryan Green pulled one back in the 23rd minute but, within 60 seconds, Stephen Tulloch restored the two-goal advantage.

Ross Campbell made it 4-1 with a close-range effort just after the half-hour mark and Kevin Gordon got on the scoresheet two minutes before the interval.

Gordon grabbed his second of the game and Forfar's sixth in the 54th minute with a stunning volley from outside the box.

Jim Hamilton ensured there was no Scottish Cup shock for his former boss Jim Duffy as his two goals handed St Mirren a 3-1 victory at Brechin.

Hamilton netted either side of the break, with Dennis Wyness also on target to cancel out Neil Janczyk's leveller.

That was enough to see Clydesdale Bank Premier League Saints through to the fifth round and make for an unwanted debut in charge of Brechin for Hamilton's old Dundee coach.

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