Rangers knock out Panathinaikos out of the UEFA Cup on the away goals rule after securing a 1-1 draw in Athens.

Spaniard Nacho Novo scored with ten minutes to go to send the Scottish side through, after Ioannis Goumas' exceptional strike in the first-half made it look for a long time as if the Greek side wuld be the ones to progress.

Novo, guilty of wasteful finishing in last week's goalless stalemate at Ibrox, made amends by pouncing on a loose ball nine minutes from full-time to fire a precious away goal past Pana goalkeeper Mario Galinovic.

Ioannis Goumas had earlier given Panathinaikos the lead with the first goal in the tie in spectacular fashion with a thunderous 25-yard strike - and Rangers were far from impressive in what was a lethargic display.

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist told BBC2 Scotland after the match: "We're really chuffed.

"As the game went on I knew we'd get one or two chances.

"We certainly had more possession in the second half than we had in the first.

"We went in one down to a wonder strike, but I knew we had a chance.

"I really felt we would have a chance, and didn't Nacho take it well!"

Rangers were more positive in the second half, having been penned back in their own territory for much of the opening 45 minutes.

Both Novo and substitute Steven Naismith offered extra support to Kris Boyd, and their positive approach paid off.

"We decided to have a wee go at it," said McCoist.

McCoist promised to look at the match video before deciding whether goalkeeper Allan McGregor could have done anything about the goal from Goumas, a 25-yard half-volley on the turn which found the top right corner.

"It's a heck of a strike," admitted the Gers assistant boss.

Sporting Life / Eurosport