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By Kenny MacDonald
GLASGOW, March 16 (Reuters) - Substitute striker Kris Boyd produced a sparkling performance to help Rangers beat Dundee United 3-2 in a penalty shootout and lift the League Cup on Sunday.
Boyd scored the winning spot kick after twice pulling Rangers back level against United.
After a lacklustre 30 minutes, Irishman Noel Hunt brought the final alive when he put United ahead on his second attempt.
Rangers keeper Allan McGregor initially parried a 12-metre shot from Hunt but he could not be denied just seconds later when he flicked the ball into the net.
United almost doubled their advantage a minute from halftime when Bosnian defender Sasa Papac knocked the ball through McGregor's legs from six metres, but Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar blasted it clear from the line.
United claimed for a penalty in the 53rd minute after Cuellar appeared to pull back Christian Kalvenes and hauled him to the ground, but referee Kenny Clark waved play on.
With time running out for Rangers, Boyd pounced on Mark Kerr's mistake in defence to level the score in the 85th minute.
After Dutch striker Mark De Vries cracked home a fine 16-metre shot to put United ahead in extra time, Boyd again rescued Rangers's hopes.
He headed in from close range to pull Rangers level at 2-2 in the 113th minute and the match headed towards a penalty shootout.
David Robertson, Craig Conway and Lee Wilkie missed penalties for United.
After seeing team mates Jean-Claude Darcheville and Lee McCulloch also failing to net their spot-kicks, Boyd kept his nerve to score the winner.
