Rangers spurned the opportunity to go top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after fighting out a stalemate at Aberdeen.

Charlie Mulgrew's well-struck free-kick for the home side was the highlight of a low key first half with Rangers teenager John Fleck squandering a couple of shots at the other end.

Bertrand Bossu replaced the injured Jamie Langfield in the Aberdeen goal seven minutes after the break.

Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd, who both came on as second-half substitutes, had opportunities to win the game but in the end a share of the spoils was probably a fair result.

Rangers striker Kris Boyd was surprisingly dropped to the bench with Lee McCulloch preferred to the prolific hitman in a defensive Rangers formation.

Full-back Sasa Papac also started for Walter Smith's side after winning an appeal against the red card he was shown against Falkirk.

The Dons, looking for their seventh consecutive home win, named the same starting 11 that defeated Celtic 4-2 last weekend.

Rangers youngster Fleck had the game's first chance when he latched on to a Barry Ferguson pass but the teenager's left-footed effort from an acute angle went inches over.

Mulgrew then brought a fine save out of Allan McGregor in the Rangers goal with a curling free-kick from 25 yards after nine minutes as the match started to come to life after a tentative start.

Darren Mackie was next to test McGregor with a dipping volley from distance with the Rangers goalkeeper gathering the ball comfortably.

Zander Diamond had to be alert to divert a Ferguson drive away for a corner before Fleck again fired over as the Ibrox side started to build up some sustained pressure.

Aberdeen's Gary McDonald wasted a good opportunity to open the scoring when he headed an inviting Mackie cross over the bar after 28 minutes.

McCulloch's ferocious drive from 25 yards was spilled by Jamie Langfield a minute later with the offside flag sparing Kenny Miller's blushes for somehow missing the rebound.

Kirk Broadfoot combined well with Steve Davis before crossing for Miller but the Rangers striker, at full stretch, could not divert the ball goalwards.

Fleck continued to look the away side's most promising route to an opener and his driven free-kick presented the Aberdeen rearguard with all sorts of problem before Madjid Bougherra's effort was deflected wide.

Pedro Mendes' speculative effort after 43 minutes was comfortably saved by Langfield and Bougherra headed over from a Fleck corner before the half drew to a close.

Rangers started the second period brightest with Broadfoot racing on to a beautiful crossfield pass from Mendes but the full-back's cross was bravely gathered by Langfield at the feet of Miller.

The goalkeeper sustained a head knock in the process and had to be replaced by Bertrand Bossu only seven minutes into the second half.

The home support appealed for a penalty after 61 minutes when both Lee Miller and Stuart Duff fell in a packed Rangers box but referee Calum Murray waved play on.

The inevitable introduction of Boyd came after 63 minutes Kenny Miller making way. Jimmy Calderwood made his first change of the day a minute later with Javan Vidal making his debut in place of the tiring Duff.

McCulloch picked up the first booking of the day for tripping the advancing McDonald after 67 minutes. The Aberdeen midfielder joined him in the referee's notebook soon after for deliberate handball.

Ferguson sent a tantalising pass across the face of goal in the 77th minute with substitute Boyd only inches away from making a connection.

Novo came on for Fleck with just under 15 minutes to go as Rangers continued to try to find a way past a stubborn Aberdeen defence. Sone Aluko then made way for Chris Maguire with the visitors looking the more likely of the two sides to find the crucial opener.

Novo could have grabbed a winner when he chested down Mendes' centre but smashed the ball into the post to the relief of the home support.

With less than four minutes Boyd was next to try his luck with a header but Severin and Bossu combined to avert the danger.

Mackie then spurned a great chance to take all three points when his header from a Mulgrew free-kick went agonisingly wide.

Substitute keeper Bossu spilled the ball in the final minute but Diamond was on hand to clear the loose ball.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield (Bossu 52), Foster, Severin, Diamond,Mulgrew, Mackie, McDonald, Kerr, Aluko (Maguire 81),Duff (Vidal 64), Miller.

Subs Not Used: Wright, De Visscher, Mair, Considine.

Booked: McDonald.

Rangers McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis,Ferguson, Mendes, McCulloch, Fleck (Novo 77), Miller (Boyd 63).

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Dailly, Whittaker, Niguez, Ness.

Booked: McCulloch.

Att: 20,441

Ref: C Murray (Scotland).