By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Goals from Nacho Novo and Libor Sionko secured Rangers a 2-1 win at Aberdeen on Saturday and moved the Glasgow side up to second in the Scottish Premier League.

Novo and Sionko struck in quick succession midway through the first half to put Rangers in the driving seat, but a late strike from Steve Lovell on 86 minutes set up a frantic finish.

Rangers advance to 35 points from 20 games, 13 behind leaders Celtic who host Falkirk later on Saturday. Aberdeen dropped into third place on 34 from 20 matches.

"We had to show a great team-spirit and managed to get a very good result. We carry on our good run of games and I am pleased," manager Paul Le Guen told BBC Radio.

Aberdeen hit the post after 10 minutes with a Darren Mackie shot before Rangers took the lead 12 minutes later.

Spanish striker Novo mis-cued his shot from 10 metres following a cut back by Czech Republic forward Sionko and the ball looped up and over keeper Jamie Langfield into the net.

Two minutes later Novo returned the favour with a cut back for Sionko to slot home the decisive second.

Aberdeen came close just before the break when Lee Miller sent a low drive against the right hand post and set up a nervy finish when Lovell stabbed in a close range shot with four minutes left.

"They got the two goals from poor marking and we didn't seem comfortable in the first half," Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood said.

"The second was much better,.and if you are going to lose a game then that's the way you want to lose it."