Managers Steven Gerrard and James McPake disagreed over whether Rangers’ Jon McLaughlin should have been sent off before saving Jason Cummings’ penalty in the visitors’ win at Dundee.

Cummings’ spot-kick was blocked by the goalkeeper.

“We would still have half an hour to play with 11 v 10,” said McPake.

“If you make a genuine attempt [to play the ball] it’s not a red card, but McMullan is by him by the time he makes an attempt.”

McPake’s frustration was evident at full-time as he was red carded by Madden after protesting to the officials on the pitch, but Gerrard rebuffed his counterpart’s assessment.

“There was cover there,” the Rangers manager told Sky Sports. “That’s the rules.”

The defeat extended Dundee run to five games without a goal, and leaves McPake’s promoted side bottom of the division, still searching for a first league win.

Rangers, though, stay ahead of Hearts at the summit after breaking a run of two defeats and a draw in their previous visits to Dens, as well as a defeat further down the street against United earlier this season.

A lot of eyes were on Dundee striker Leigh Griffiths after he was charged by Police Scotland in relation to “culpable and reckless” conduct after apparently kicking a flare into a stand of fans during the midweek League Cup defeat by St Johnstone.

Added to being on loan from Celtic, the striker’s desperation to score was clear. But twice in the opening minutes he wasted good opportunities with headers from close range.

Two more would come his way, a thumping volley towards the near post and a left-foot shot from inside the box, but both times goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin got behind the efforts.

And a frustrating day was to get worse for Griffiths, who limped off before half-time with an ankle injury.

His were not the only big chances that came Dundee’s way as they looked to end a run of four games without a goal – Jordan McGhee headed straight at McLaughlin from six yards out.

However, as so often happens in these games, the underdogs were punished for not taking their chances as Aribo soon put the champions ahead.

James Tavernier found Alfredo Morelos, who knocked a delightful ball into Aribo’s path and he finished coolly past Adam Legzdins.

Rangers had been – and continued to be – unusually quiet, but did threaten a second at times. Kemar Roofe forced a save from Legzdins, and Connor Goldson found his route to goal blocked by his own team-mate Morelos.

Dundee were testing the visitors from set-pieces and Ryan Sweeney’s header was on target, but Rangers began to gain more control, with John Lundstram forcing a save and Morelos firing wide from six yards out.

That was until Dundee were awarded a penalty after Paul McMullan was caught by the leg of McLaughlin – who was booked, rather than sent off, after referee Madden deemed he had made a genuine effort to win the ball – and the home side had a golden opportunity to end their barren run.

However, Cummings’ effort down the centre of goal cannoned off the goalkeeper’s foot and he was beaten to the rebound as McLaughlin punched clear.

Still the home side had chances with McGhee steering a header the wrong side of a post, but their poor run in front of goal continues and they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Man of the match – Joe Aribo

What did we learn?

Dundee could not have done much more to put an end to their poor run in front of goal, but it’s now five games without scoring for the Premiership’s bottom club and they’ve yet to win a game in seven league matches.

Rangers at times showed the frailties that have concerned supporters this season, especially from set-pieces, with the home side causing numerous problems, but they are still top of the league and into the semi-final of the League Cup.

What did they say?

Dundee manager James McPake: “It’s great the pundits are saying Dundee are playing well but we need to start turning these chances into goals. But the players are giving me everything and that’s why I can’t criticise them.

“Everyone who watched the game would say that we should have come away with something.”

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard on Rangers TV: “We came here for three points. No-one will remember how we got them, and I’ve also managed to keep people fresh for Thursday [against Sparta Prague], so a lot of positives to take away.”

What’s next?

Rangers are away to Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday (17:45 BST), before hosting Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (15:00). Dundee are next in action on Saturday away to St Johnstone (15:00 BST).