Rangers earned the first point of their Europa League campaign but will rue a missed opportunity after Nasser Djiga’s error denied them victory over 10-man Braga.

James Tavernier’s first-half injury-time penalty earned the Scottish Premiership side an advantage​, one that was compounded by Rodrigo Zalazar’s red card after he made to headbutt Nicolas Raskin.

However, Djiga’s panicked header from a throw into the Rangers box fell perfectly for Gabri Martinez to equalise as Danny Rohl’s side were denied a crucial win.

The draw ends a record seven-game European losing streak but with away games against Ferencvaros and Porto, either side of the visit of Ludogorets, progression would seem a long-shot for a side who have just one point from five fixtures.

A late injury-time dismissal for Mohamed Diomande – a second yellow card for throwing an arm in a challenge – only added to Rangers’ frustration.

Rangers came into this after suffering four defeats in a row in this competition, with victory vital to reignite European aspirations.

Early on, Braga looked every inch a side with nine points from their opening four games and sitting pretty in the table. They brought confidence having already defeated Celtic in Glasgow earlier in this competition.

Twice Jack Butland did superbly to deny Ricardo Horta, first with a stretching low save and then to block when the striker raced in on goal.

The opening half hour brought no shots on goal for Rangers but, gradually, they began to exert some influence in the final third.

Danilo weakly shot at the goalkeeper after Diomande played him in. Djeidi Gassama then appeared to be touched by Martinez in the box and went to ground. Nothing was given but the crowd anticipated something was coming.

The opportunity arrived when Fran Navarro’s outstretched arm connected with the ball in the area and the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened and Tavernier did the rest from the penalty spot.

In doing so, he equalled former Rangers striker Ally McCoist’s European goal mark of 21.

It got better for the Ibrox side when red mist descended on Zalazar. He nodded toward Raskin, connected faintly, and was ordered off after VAR got involved.

A badly-needed Europa League lifeline looked odds on, until Djiga gifted Braga a leveller.

From a throw in, he appeared to panic and flicked his header towards Martinez, who atoned for his earlier penalty concession by tapping home and leaving his side seventh in the standings, with Rangers 33rd of the 36 teams.

Analysis: Rangers’ defensive frailty costs vital win

What an enormous disappointment for Rangers and their fans this turned into.

With no points, four defeats and that long European losing streak coming into this, this game felt like a must-win to maintain any hope of going further.

Many fans spoke pre-match of the Premiership being the priority and it looks like the focus may well switch to just that now.

Braga, with nine points to their name before this, knew the outcome here wasn’t vital to their chances. The pressure was off to an extent.

They showed their quality at times and exploited Rangers’ frailty in defence on more than once occasion.

However, Rangers found themselves in pole position a goal and man up. Everything had fallen perfectly into place for them go on and get a much-needed win.

So to throw it away so needlessly will undoubtedly hurt. Djiga looked to have lost the flight of the ball and panicked. His header gifted Braga that goal.

Rangers have clear injury issues at centre back, with John Souttar and Derek Cornelius out, but it’s been a recurring problem this season.

It undermined them once again, just when it looked like a European boost was on the cards.