A stunning second-half performance saw Rangers take all three points against Dunfermline despite falling two goals behind.

Alex McLeish looked likely to sample his first taste of defeat since taking over at Ibrox in December when a Scott Thomson double put the Pars in the driving seat at half-time.

But Tony Vidmar's goal two minutes after the re-start signalled a Rangers comeback and a Ronald de Boer brace allowed the Govan side to surge into the lead before Shota Arveladze sealed the win from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time.

Both teams had headed into this game following good runs in the league but the sodden park restricted many opportunities in the opening spell and chances were few and far between.

Rangers carved out the first chance of the game after four minutes when Shota Arveladze fed the ball to Peter Lovenkrands. He tried to set up Claudio Caniggia at the far post but the Argentinian failed to connect properly.

After 12 minutes the same trio were threatening again. This time Caniggia played the ball out to Lovenkrands on the left wing and he tried to pick out Arveladze in front of goal but Dunfermline goalkeeper Scott Thomson managed to intercept to block the move.

Despite the Ibrox side's early pressure it was the Pars who took the lead after 17 minutes. Sean Kilgannon swung a corner into the box and an unmarked Scott Thomson managed to glance a header past the helpless Stefan Klos.

Rangers had the chance to bounce back quickly from that set-back after 23 minutes when Arveladze played the ball into the path of Caniggia in front of goal but the Argentinian was fast enough and a great opportunity was lost.

Seven minutes later Caniggia was fouled on the edge of the 18-yard box but Alan Freeland opted to play the advantage rule and that proved to be in vain when Ronald de Boer smashed the ball yards over the crossbar.

Fernando Ricksen found his name in the referee's book after 32 minutes for a challenge on Kilgannon and tempers flared as the the Middlesbrough player retaliated by pushing the Dutchman, earning himself a caution from Freeland.

The resultant free kick proved costly for Rangers when former Ibrox player Barry Nicholson picked out Thomson at the far post and, for the second time, he nodded home unmarked after 33 minutes.

Rangers started the second half in determined style and had pulled a goal back within two minutes of the restart. Lovenkrands played a short corner with Arveladze before picking out Craig Moore. He nodded into the path of Tony Vidmar and the Australian bundled the ball over the net from a few yards out.

By the 54th minute Rangers were back on level terms. Lovenkrands saw his angled drive blocked by the Pars goalkeeper but Ronald de Boer pounced to fire home from the rebound.

Stewart Petrie replaced Michael Panopoulos after 58 minutes and made an immediate impression when he was booked for a challenge on Ricksen less than a minute later.

And Dunfermline's frustrations were set to go when Rangers surged into the lead after 62 minutes.

Lorenzo Amoruso's new found status as hero of Ibrox was strengthened when he supplied a superb pass through the middle to de Boer. The Dutchman allowed Thomson to come off his line before cooly stroking the ball past the Dunfermline goalkeeper.

Three minutes later Lee Bullen tried to claw the Govan side back to level terms but his shot found its way into the side netting instead.

Rangers were still searching for more goals and could have gone further ahead after 72 minutes. Neil McCann's cross was met by de Boer and he flicked the ball past the goalkeeper but the effort was clawed away from the goalmouth by a Pars defender. Barry Ferguson tried to follow up but sent the ball well over the crossbar.

But Rangers incredible comeback continued eight minutes later when the referee ruled that Lovenkrands had been brought down in the box by Petrie. Arveladze stepped up for the spot kick and fired home, sending Thomson the wrong way.

McCann had the ball in the net after 83 minutes after being set up by Ferguson but the linesman's flag was already raised by that point.

Teams:

Dunfermline: Scott Y Thomson, MacPherson, Kilgannon (Petrie 59), Skinner (Nicholls 75), Skerla, Scott Thomson, Nicholson, Mason, Panopoulos (Dair 59), Bullen, Crawford.

Subs Not Used: Harrower, McLeish.

Booked: Kilgannon, Petrie, Mason.

Goals: Scott Thomson 17, 33.

Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Moore, Amoruso, Vidmar, Konterman, de Boer, Ferguson, Arveladze, Caniggia (McCann 70), Lovenkrands.

Subs Not Used: Christiansen, Dodds, Ross, Hughes.

Booked: de Boer.

Goals: Vidmar 48, de Boer 54, 63, Arveladze 81 pen.

Att: 8,795

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).