In a game that swung to and fro, with both sides enjoying spells of possession and chances, there was one big moment to be debated afterwards; Should Rangers have been given a first half penalty? The answer is a resounding yes as everyone on the stand side apart from the assistant referee, clearly saw a hand palm the ball off Skipper Ben Sturgess' head as he was about to head toward the Hilltop goal. Would it have been enough for the three points, we will never know, but it was a huge slice of bad luck for Rangers in a tight game. The opening five minutes saw Hilltop in the ascendency with one effort fired into the side netting. Rangers' Troy Walters then fired a shot high over the bar as Rangers responded, then in the tenth minute the penalty incident, cue mystified spectators! Soon after Walters was played in after good work by Sturgess only for his shot to be blocked. Walters was again blocked following a good Rangers move involving Abdullah Jellal and Curtis Chapple. At the other end Sturgess did well to tidy up in defence as the visitors threatened. The game became very open with both teams playing some neat football, creating an end to end affair. On 40 minutes however a forced break due to a collapsed spectator saw the game held up as he received some attention, with the emergency services arriving very promptly to take him to hospital. Half hour later and the game resumed with a corner to Hilltop that Rangers keeper, Dave Saunders half cleared, the follow up volley slammed over. Hilltop were then forced to defend as they dealt with a dangerous ball from the impressive Michael Senghor before a last ditch tackle denied Walters. A couple of half chances followed for Rangers and the half ended with two great chances for the home side with both Lewis Toomey and Walters denied.

The second half started as the first ended with Toomey and Walters both having good chances that they should have done better with following a great ball from Chapple. Chances became fewer as the game became mired in midfield. With the game three quarters done another miss from Rangers as both Matt Peake-Pijnen and Senghor both failed to capitalise at the far post following a great cross from Olu Ayodeji. It was Hilltop's turn to miss now as a close range volley cleared the bar by miles. Soon after, Saunders tipped a shot wide and then dealt easily with a weak effort. At the other end more good play from Senghor and a superb far post cross to Walters ended with a desperate tackle as the Rangers striker prepared to shoot. Ayodeji almost nicked it, his curling side-foot shot well saved by the Hilltop keeper. The visitors countered and a mis-hit cross from the left skimmed the crossbar to the relief of Saunders. The game ended with two more chances for Rangers after more good skill and a cross from Senghor just evaded the onrushing Toomey with the goal at his mercy before a good run and shot by Walters fizzed just past the far post. Rangers probably edged it on chances but Hilltop are a skilful footballing side who had their moments too. It should have been a penalty though and that could have been the difference, but that's football! Good performances from the new lads, particularly Senghor, midfielder Archie Morris also did well as did centre-back Alfie Corrick, who had a very steady game. Peake-Pijnen, back from injury, did not look out of place in midfield either. So plenty for Mark Jones to work with and fingers crossed for next Saturday when we travel to British Airways FC. Fingers crossed also for the Rangers fan that was taken to hospital during the match, hopefully he will be on the mend and thanks to the ambulance crew and first responder for their professionalism, the NHS at its best..

Rangers Man of the Match: Ben Sturgess. I'm not saying Sturge should always play at centre-back but, he can and occasionally does and he never disappoints. A captain's performance at the back today, dictating, controlling and influencing whilst also carrying out important defensive work and starting many of the Rangers moves with the right pass.