RANGERS today crashed out of the William Hill Scottish Cup as they slumped to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at home to Raith Rovers.

Kenny McDowall's side were booed off by the majority of an 11,422 crowd at the end of a woeful display as the Rovers fans celebrated a famous win.

It was another shocking performance from a side that have had their fair share in recent years, but it was a day to remember for Grant Murray and his players as they booked a place in Monday's quarter-final draw.

The defeat piles more pressure on caretaker boss McDowall and his players, who only have a shot at promotion from the Championship to play for now this term.

The Light Blues boss handed starts to two of the Newcastle United players that joined the club on deadline day, after revealing he had been ordered to play them by chief executive Derek Llambias and football board chairman Sandy Easdale.

Remie Streete replaced Darren McGregor at the heart of the Gers rearguard, while Haris Vuckic came in to the midfield.

Rangers had a couple of decent chances in the first half, but it was Raith who came closest to scoring, Paul Watson's header hitting the post and rebounding into Steve Simonsen's gloves.

Just before the break, Streete's debut came to a premature end as he hobbled off with a groin strain and was replaced by McGregor.

With 53 minutes on the clock, Raith stunned Ibrox as Ryan Conroy curled a terrific free-kick beyond Simonsen from 20 yards.

As discontent grew around Ibrox, new boy Vuckic marked his debut with a low strike to bring the Light Blues level.

It wouldn't last long, however. Just seconds after the substitution of Ian Black got a round of applause from the Ibrox crowd, Raith scored their second as Christian Nade bundled the ball home after some shocking defending from Simonsen and Richard Foster.

When Kris Boyd headed wide from just yards out in the final minute, Rangers' last chance was gone.

When asked afterwards what his message to the fans was, McDowall said: "Just apologise that we have been knocked out another cup. They come to watch their team and they pay good money and it's our job to get a win on the day and we have failed. So we apologise for that."
McDowall, who has suffered three defeats in five games in caretaker charge, blamed "cheap goals" for the defeat.
"I thought it was a tight affair up to half-time and that we were well in it," he said.
"I told the boys to be patient and I thought if we could get the first goal we would have gone on to win it fairly comfortably.
"Yet again we have given ourselves an uphill struggle by conceding cheap goals.
"The goals are the main factor. It's hard enough playing teams without giving them a goal of a start.
"To concede two goals made it very difficult. After getting one back we couldn't really keep any pressure on and we gave another one away fairly cheaply and paid the penalty."
Like Ally McCoist, who is on garden leave, McDowall is working a 12-month notice period and he does not look comfortable in the hot seat.
"I'm trying my best to lift them as best I can," he said. "But we are professional people. It's our duty. We get paid and we have to turn up and do our work."
The 40,000 stay-away Rangers fans were not the only ones to miss the defeat with the club confirming that all board members were absent too.
Llambias, James Easdale, Barry Leach and David Somers, who all face removal from the plc board at the March 4 general meeting, were not at Ibrox and neither was Sandy Easdale.
A club statement read: "It is regrettable that the board of Rangers Football Club were not in attendance at today's important Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.
"Given the events over the past few days and after advice from the club, the decision was made not to attend the game.
"The board has a duty of care to the fans, staff and stewards to ensure safety at the ground at all times and they believe this was the correct decision."