Dundee defender Nathan Ralph has failed to have the red card he was shown against Rangers overturned on appeal.

The full-back was dismissed after bringing down Gers winger Daniel Candeias on the edge of his own box midway through the first half of Sunday’s clash.

Dens Park chiefs decided to challenge Alan Muir’s decision on the grounds of wrongful dismissal after boss Jim McIntyre claimed the official had told him he brandished the red card as he felt Ralph was denying Steven Gerrard’s team a clear goalscoring opportunity.

That angered McIntyre, who felt Ralph’s team-mate Andy Boyle was well positioned between Candeias and goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.

But Dundee’s appeal has been rejected after it was deemed that the referee had not made an obvious error.

The 25-year-old will now miss Saturday’s trip to Kilmarnock.

Rangers defender Andy Halliday fired Rangers level from the resulting free-kick but the hosts were able to hold on for a crucial point which moved them off the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership table.

McIntyre was delighted with his side’s desire but was left frustrated by Ralph’s sending-off.

He said after the game: “I have seen it again and the referee said it was for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity so it will be appealed because Andy Boyle was round on the cover so it is definitely not.

“So that was disappointing but I would rather talk about how good the players were.

“I was delighted, especially after being down to 10 men for so long. I thought the boys showed great resolve. The players deserve all the credit.”