Just over a year ago, St Mirren took a surprise win from a friendly against Rangers at Love Street, but Dick Advocaat's side returned last night to settle the score in a less amicable encounter.

A Jorg Albertz double and a fine effort from Billy Dodds proved to be enough to give Rangers the win, with Jens Paeslack netting a consolation goal for the home side.

From the very beginning Rangers looked the more likely candidates to snatch the opener. Rod Wallace appeared to be brought down in the box by Paul Rudden, but referee Mike McCurry seemed to take an age before pointing to the spot. Albertz stepped up and coolly converted.

Dodds blasted the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the season five minutes after the break.

Paeslack gave St Mirren a ray of hope on 62 minutes when the German pounced on a rebound. However, Albertz sent a setpiece through the St Mirren wall and into the net.

St Mirren: Roy; Nicolson (McKenzie 55), Turner, B McLaughlin, Ross, Murray, Rudden, Gillies, Paeslack, Quitongo (Brown 65), Yardley (McGarry 51). Subs Not Used: Scimgour, Drew. Booked: Murray, Quitongo, Ross. Goal: Paeslack 61.

Rangers: Klos; Ricksen, Amoruso, Konterman, van Bronckhorst, Ferguson, Tugay, Albertz, McCann (Vidmar 81), Wallace, Dodds. Subs Not Used: Brown, Kanchelskis, Miller, Malcolm. Booked: Ferguson, Amoruso. Goals: Albertz 27 pen, 65, Dodds 49.

Referee: M Mccurrie (Glasgow).