DaMarcus Beasley started his first Scottish Premier League match in four games, but it was not enough as Rangers fell to Dundee United 2-1 at Tannadice on Sunday.

The US National Team veteran did make the play that led to Rangers only goal as he earned a penalty after being tripped up by the Arabs' Christian Kalvenses in the 49th minute. The 25-year old Indiana native started at on the right flank, and played entire 90 minutes as the Light Blues started with a five-man midfield and lone striker Daniel Cousin up front.

While heads were scratching in the visitors stand wondering why the Glasgow side had started with such a defensive look to it, the men from Teeside were putting in an energetic and spirited performance. United captain Barry Robson tested 'Gers keeper Allan McGregor with a shot from outside the box that the Scotland #2 keeper did well to smother.

The effort paid off in the 27th minute as Irish midfielder Willo Flood, on loan from English Championship side Cardiff City, sent a free kick to the back post where Lee Wilkie put a strong foot on it to give Dundee United the lead.

Rangers manager Walter Smith was ruing yet another drab performance after an excellent display against Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, and inserted striker Nacho Novo at halftime in place of Senegalese midfielder Amdy Faye.

Novo brought his usual forte of speed and spirit which put the Light Blues on the front foot for the early part of the first half. Beasley was linking up well with fellow midfielders Kevin Thompson and Barry Ferguson.

This proved too much on the Arab defense as Norwegian Kalvenses put a foot the wrong way in bringing Beasley down in the box. Cousin coolly converted the spot kick to bring the visitors level in the 51st minute.

Before Rangers could even bask in the light of their goal, Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar brought down Jordan Robertson right at the six-yard box. Robson sent the resulting penalty straight down the middle to restore the home goal advantage in the 54th minute.

Rangers will take the short journey to Lanarkshire to face Motherwell in the CIS Cup before entertaining Inverness Caley Thistle at home next Saturday.

Scoring
DU - Lee Wilkie 2 (Willo Flood) 27'
RAN - Daniel Cousin 5 (PK) 51'
DU - Barry Robson 5 (PK) 54'

Line-ups
DU - Euan McLean; Sean Dillon, Lee Wilkie, Darren Dods, Christian Kalvenes, Willo Flood, Prince Bauben (Mark Kerr 90'), Morgaro Gomis, Barry Robson, Jordan Robertson, Noel Hunt

RAN - Allan McGregor; Alan Hutton, David Weir, Carlos Cuellar, Sasa Papac, DaMarcus Beasley, Barry Ferguson, Amdy Faye (Nacho Novo 81'), Kevin Thomson, Lee McCulloch, Daniel Cousin (Kris Boyd 79')