Nacho Novo eased the pressure on Rangers after a turbulent week by helping them to a 2-0 win over St Johnstone to book a fifth-round meeting with Forfar in the Homecoming Scottish Cup.

Rangers again looked unconvincing against a team who ran them so close in last season's semi-final but managed to bring the Irn-Bru First Division side's 14-game unbeaten run to an end.

Stuart McCaffrey provided a much-needed boost just before half-time when he bundled into his own net, before Novo came off the substitutes' bench to secure the victory late on.

This match should have been all about Rangers beginning their defence of the Scottish Cup but was dominated by events off the park instead, with the club's finances firmly in the spotlight after admitting they needed to sell one of their top players this month.

Kris Boyd, who was named in the starting line-up, looked set for the exit door after a bid was agreed with Birmingham. The move has so far stalled over personal terms but skipper Barry Ferguson, goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Pedro Mendes and Madjid Bougherra are other names in the frame for a possible January departure.

Travelling fans made their feelings against chairman Sir David Murray known ahead of kick-off with a banner declaring 'David Murray Must Go', while Saints took the opportunity to wind up their visitors by blasting out cash-related tunes such as 'Money's Too Tight to Mention' and 'Money, Money, Money.'

Rangers immediately found themselves under pressure when Gavin Swankie was fouled on the edge of the box by Sasa Papac. He took the free-kick himself and drew a decent save from McGregor at the near post.

Rangers were threatening again when Boyd pounced on a Barry Ferguson ball but was nowhere near the target and volleyed well over.

The breakthrough came three minutes from the break. Alan Main's attempts to clear a speculative ball from Steven Naismith landed at the feet of Steven Davis, who found Boyd. Boyd tried to set up Kenny Miller, his flick failed to make contact and the ball was knocked into the back of his own net instead by McCaffrey.

Saints had their chances to restore parity, but Rangers threw Novo into the action for Naismith with 20 minutes to go and he dashed any hope the home side had of a comeback just nine minutes later when Davis set up the Spanish striker, who prodded home from six yards.

Hamilton sends St Mirren through

Jim Hamilton ensured there was no Homecoming Scottish Cup shock for his former boss Jim Duffy as his two goals handed St Mirren a 3-1 victory at Brechin.

Hamilton netted either side of the break, with Dennis Wyness also on target to cancel out Neil Janczyk's leveller.

That was enough to see Clydesdale Bank Premier League Saints through to the fifth round and make for an unwanted debut in charge of Brechin for Hamilton's old Dundee coach.

Forfar booked themselves a money-spinning tie against Rangers with a crushing 6-1 victory over Forres Mechanics.

Five goals from the Irn-Bru Third Division side ended the contest before half-time and they wrapped things up after the break as they completely outclassed the Highland League outfit.

Graeme Gibson started rout after only two minutes and an own goal from Forres' Bruce Milne two minutes later left the visitors with a mountain to climb.

They looked to have thrown themselves a lifeline when Ryan Green pulled one back in the 23rd minute but, within 60 seconds, Stephen Tulloch restored the two-goal advantage.

Ross Campbell made it 4-1 with a close-range effort just after the half-hour mark and Kevin Gordon got on the scoresheet two minutes before the interval.

Gordon grabbed his second of the game and Forfar's sixth in the 54th minute with a stunning volley from outside the box.

Miller wins it for Dons

Lee Miller fired Aberdeen up to fourth place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a brilliant double in a 2-1 win at Kilmarnock.

Allan Russell had quickly atoned for his penalty miss against Ayr by firing Kilmarnock into an early lead.

But sublime finishes either side of half-time from Miller lifted the Dons above Hearts in the race for a European spot.

Killie started well but Sone Aluko, playing up front in Aberdeen's 3-4-3 formation, gave an indication of the open first half to come when he shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Russell had failed to give his side a two-goal lead during their 2-2 derby cup draw, but his luck turned in the 10th minute.

Scott Severin was harshly penalised by referee Eddie Smith as he beat David Fernandez in the air 25 yards out.

The free-kick was rolled short to Garry Hay, whose fierce but wayward strike rebounded off team-mate Danny Invincibile and fell kindly for Russell to blast home from eight yards.

Killie were well on top but they were given a warning when Gary McDonald headed inches wide from Charlie Mulgrew's deep cross. And the Dons levelled in the 29th minute when Miller flicked Mulgrew's near-post corner past Damien Rascle with his heel.

Andrew Considine then cleared Russell's header off the line following Hay's enterprising run, and the Kilmarnock left-back soon blocked twice from Darren Mackie inside his own box.

But Aberdeen took control after the break and scored the winner in the 59th minute when Aluko laid the ball off to Mackie on the right flank, and Miller stooped to meet his cross and guide his header over Killie keeper Damien Rascle and into the far corner.