Rangers endured more disappointment as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hibernian in the top-of-the-table Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Ibrox.

With memories of their Champions League mauling against Unirea Urziceni still fresh, Rangers were desperate for a positive reaction and started well when Kris Boyd claimed an early opener.

But the Scottish champions were denied the three points when Anthony Stokes levelled for the visitors and, although it was not enough to lift Hibs into pole position in the SPL, the away fans returned to Edinburgh far happier with the result than their Rangers counterparts.

Hibs immediately set about putting pressure on their hosts with an early attack which resulted in a Derek Riordan shot flashing across the face of goal and wide of Allan McGregor's left-hand post.

At the other end, Boyd must have thought he had claimed the opener when he ran onto a short pass from Kenny Miller before shrugging off his marker and rifling inches past the upright.

However, the Rangers striker was celebrating with just eight minutes gone. Steven Whittaker's cross found Lafferty on the left and he supplied the header to the back post for Boyd to stab home from two yards out.

Hibs went close to restoring parity when a Merouane Zemmama effort cracked off the post. Stokes did have the rebound in the net but the offside flag was already raised.

Rangers carved out the best of the chances after the restart and David Weir blasted wide from a Fleck corner, before Boyd saw a long-range drive palmed to safety by the Hibs goalkeeper.

Hibs took full advantage of Rangers' profligacy in front of goal when Stokes collected a long ball on his chest before sending a left-footed drive over the head of McGregor and into the back of the net with with 64 minutes gone.

Hibs almost snatched victory when Stokes skipped past Weir with ease before setting up substitute Colin Nish but he stabbed wide of the post.