Jorg Albertz scored a wonder goal two minutes from time for Rangers to keep them on course for a record tenth successive title.

Italian defender Sergio Porrini picked out the German star on the left with a superb crossfield pass.

Albertz needed only one touch before delivering a stunning 25-yard shot over the head of keeper Bryan Gunn for a dramatic winner.

Gunn made his debut for Hibs after being signed on a free transfer from Norwich this week and it was a heartbreaking moment for him and new manager Alex McLeish.

The former Motherwell manager saw his new charges take the lead through Barry Lavety and battle all the way.

But Hibs have now chalked up only one win in 20 league matches and the First Division is beckoning.

Rangers manager Walter Smith made one change from the team that defeated Motherwell in the Tennents Scottish Cup in midweek with Porrini recalled after suspension. He replaced Craig Moore in central defence.

Gunn was called into action after only five minutes and it was hardly a confident touch with defender Brian Welsh tidying up after Albertz delivered a cross from the left.

Gordon Durie met it powerfully and Gunn flapped at it and was grateful his colleague was standing by.

Hibs seemed racked by nerves and a lack of self-belief. That became apparent when Stevie Crawford decided not to try his luck on goal inside the area and opted for a square ball to Kevin Harper instead.

He was taken by surprise and his soft shot was easily collected by keeper Andy Goram to the frustration of the home crowd.

But Rangers were rocked in the 19th minute when Hibs took a dramatic lead after Tony Rougier carved out the opening.

He tried to direct the ball through to Barry Lavety but the ball broke off a Rangers defender.

However it fell nicely into the path of Lavety who showed remarkable composure to fire the ball into the corner.

Skipper John Hughes then saw a header taken by Goram as Rangers struggled to get their game together.

But the champions, always dangerous opponents when they are under threat, drew level in the 35th minute.

Brian Laudrup got away down the right and delivered a perfect cross, which Marco Negri nodded home for this 31st goal of the league season.

Hibs, however, seemed to have found self-belief and Goram made another fine save a minute before the break when he turned over a powerful header from Lavety.

Gunn may have reached the veteran stage but he showed he had lost little of his instincts with a dash of his line to foil Negri.

Laudrup sent a 20 yard shot into the crowd as Rangers stepped up the pressure but Hibs again broke forward and Andy Dow saw his shot go inches over the top.

With so much at stake, the match threatened to spill over and there was an ugly incident involving Alex Cleland of Rangers and Rougier.

Cleland was hauled up for blocking the Hibs player and booked. But Rougier retaliated and he was given a yellow card.

Hibs refused to lie down and Rougier shrugged off Joachim Bjorklund's challenge to fire in a shot that Goram booted to safety.

Then came that stunner from Albertz, which was greeted with roars of relief by the Rangers fans. end

Teams

Hibernian: Gunn, Miller, Boco, Jackson (Grant 78), Hughes, Welsh, Harper, Dow, Crawford, Lavety (Walker 81), Rougier.

Subs Not Used: Donald.

Booked: Hughes, Lavety, Rougier.

Goals: Lavety 19.

Rangers: Goram, Cleland, Albertz, Gough, Porrini, Bjorklund, B. Ferguson (McCall 78), I. Ferguson (Gascoigne 69), Negri, Durie, Laudrup.

Subs Not Used: Thern.

Sent Off: Cleland (73).

Booked: Gough, Bjorklund, Durie.

Goals: Negri 35, Albertz 88.

Att: 13,968

Ref: H Dallas (Motherwell).