Smith's men conceded two goals from crosses within four minutes at at Dundee United today before battling back for a 2-2.

Kris Boyd volleyed them ahead early in a first half they controlled, apart from when Allan McGregor saved brilliantly from Jon Daly's free header.

That was a warning they did not heed as Lee Wilkie and Warren Feeney both converted deliveries from Paul Dixon to put United in front within nine minutes of the restart.

Kyle Lafferty levelled in the 76th minute and Rangers failed to convert their late pressure.

But Smith believes they should have had the game wrapped up.

"I feel that we should have taken advantage of the situation where we played very well in the first half," the Ibrox manager said.

"When we didn't, we knew there would be a response from United at the start of the second half.

"I am disappointed with the level of goal we lost. They were simple, bread-and-butter crosses we should have dealt with.

"But credit to the players for the way they came back. United had the ascendancy for the first 15 minutes of the second half but we came back stronger.

"Without having any clear-cut chances, we looked like we could have got the winner."

Rangers have now dropped 12 points on the road this season as they chase SPL leaders Celtic.

Two goals from set pieces saw them lose 2-1 to Hearts two weeks ago and Smith wants more determination from his defence, which will have Madjid Bougherra back against Hibernian after a thigh strain ruled him out today.

"The situation is of our own making," Smith said.

"It's not as if, away from home, teams have been pinning us back.

"We have had most of the territorial advantage and most of the possession in games and haven't managed to win them.

"Plus the fact we have given away easy goals, which we haven't done at home. It's something we have to look at and make sure we cut it out.

"Our overall performances have been good - except for Hearts where we didn't really create anything.

"I don't think we need to make drastic changes. We definitely need to toughen up a bit, especially away from home."

United manager Craig Levein was "thrilled" with the draw - but only because he feared his side were on to a hiding at half-time.

"We just didn't turn up in the first half," Levein said.

"We had a game plan. Bougherra wasn't playing so we told them to get the ball into the box.

"We have good headers and good crossers of the ball.

"For some reason, in the first half, we decided we weren't going to put the ball in the box.

"We had our defence to thank for keeping us in it."

Levein, whose side have now lost just once in 15 games, added: "I'm thrilled to bits. At half-time, I was looking at a 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0.

"If you had asked me then, I would have been delighted with a draw.

"We were a different team altogether in the second half."