This game was such a jolt to the senses that Ally McCoist did not even know a Brechin player had been sent off just before the end.

In fairness, the referee Craig Charleston contrived to book 11 players, so McCoist could have been forgiven for missing one of the decisions, but the game itself was a spectacle.

"Was there somebody sent off?" the Rangers manager said when asked about the decision. "It's a game that will last in our memories, because it was exciting and interesting."

It was a challenge, too, for Rangers, as they had to claw their way back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to eventually overhaul their brave, committed and bold hosts.

Incessant rain left the pitch slick, and when Steven Smith tried to cross from one corner, he missed the ball completely when it stuck in surface water. The full-back then went sliding into an advertising hoarding. He looked furious, but by then, just before half time, Rangers had more to worry about than the conditions.

Brechin adapted to the demands of the encounter more surely. McCoist's last message to his players before they took to the field was to be careful and strong at set-pieces. He was wasting his words, since after just five minutes Alan Trouten's corner was headed into the net by Graham Hay. Five minutes later, Jonny Brown drove a free-kick beyond Bell from 20 yards, and Rangers were reeling.

The visitors eventually began to take command. Brechin continued to press hard but Lewis Macleod slipped a clever pass through to Jon Daly, who then placed the ball beyond Brechin goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

Lee McCulloch ought to have then equalised, but shot wide, a pivotal moment as Brechin soon added to their lead, with Trouten curling a shot beyond Bell from the edge of the penalty area.

"We could have taken half a dozen of them off [at half time]," McCoist said, "although not six at one time, which did cross my mind. But as disappointed as I was with our lads in the first half, the complete opposite would have to be said in the second half. They showed incredible spirit."

The fightback started when Ian Black flighted in a free-kick and Bilel Mohsni turned the ball into the net. Nicky Law then pulled Rangers level when his cross bounced in at the far post.

There was still plenty of life in the game, but when Nicky Clark's deft header flew past Smith, only moments after Craig Molloy's header hit the bar at the other end, Rangers closed the game off.

Trouten's dismissal, for a second booking after pulling back David Templeton, sealed the outcome.

"I thought we deserved something out of the game," said Ray McKinnon, the Brechin manager. "At 3-3, we were still trying to win the game and had two unbelievable chances."

For McCoist, the game was a welcome distraction from boardroom issues. As if to highlight the upheaval club director Sandy Easdale released a statement during the game.

"I do not think getting embroiled in incessant speculation is in the best interests of Rangers," Easdale said. "The constant tit-for-tat is damaging the club. There is a business plan in place and I am certain the directors will do everything to ensure it continues to be implemented."

McCoist did not want to address any of the recent dramas. "We just get on with it, our job is to put a team out on the park," he said. "It's been a hectic week, but I'm here to talk about the football."

Brechin City: Smith; McLean (Jackson 85min), McLauchlan, Hay, Moyes, Brown; Anderson (Molloy 75min), Trouten, Petrie; Jackson, Ryan (Barr 68min). Substitutes not used: Robb, Donnelly, Cameron, Nelson.

Rangers: Bell; Foster, McCulloch, Mohsni, Smith; Crawford (Clark 46min), Law, Black, Macleod (Templeton 80min); Little (Hutton 86min), Daly. Substitutes not used: Faure, Emilson, Aird, Simonsen.

Booked: Law 11, Mohsni 16, Black 17, Trouten 19, McLean 22, Anderson 44, Smith 53, McCulloch 56, Daly 59 Foster 78, Clark 84.

Sent off: Trouten 90.

Referee: C Charleston.