Linas Pilibaitis 2 Rangers 1: Rangers were sent crashing out of Europe when Linas Pilibaitis snatched a late winner as FBK Kaunas beat Walter Smith's side 2-1 in their make-or break Champions League qualifier.

The first leg at Ibrox had ended goalless last week but Rangers looked set to progress on away goals when Kevin Thomson netted in the first half, despite Nerijus Radzius levelling for the hosts.

But last season's UEFA Cup finalists suffered a last-gasp sucker-punch as the Lithuanians clinched the win they needed to set up a third-round qualifying meeting, likely to be with Danish side Aalborg.

Smith admitted after the match the defeat was a big blow to Rangers.

He said: "It's a blow in every aspect, including the financial side and everything that comes with it.

"We just have to face it and get on with it. We have a job on our hands to pick everyone up.

"There was always a hope that we could pick ourselves up for this game and there was also a matter of pride of playing in Europe again.

"We enjoyed the run we had last season but we are not going to get one this season and that's a disappointment for us."

Kaunas coach Jose Couceiro believed Rangers were still strong favourites to win the tie ahead of the match

He said: "The team always believed it was possible in their home park. But Rangers were still the favourites before this match.

"They are a very strong team and Kaunas are a small club. Our championship is not a very strong championship - it's very different from Scotland.

"I must congratulate my players because they have worked fantastically for the last few weeks."