Boss Steven Gerrard has labelled Rangers goalkeeper Jon Lundstram "a powerhouse" after his heroics against Dundee.
Joe Aribo's goal was enough to keep the champions in top spot as they survived a scare from struggling Premiership side.
McLaughlin hauled down Paul McMullan, with Bobby Madden pointing to the penalty spot and only dishing out a yellow card.
While the home side protested that he should have been sent off for the challenge, the Scotland cap dusted himself down to save Jason Cummings ' strike.
Gerrard shrugged off the controversy and outside criticism of the playmaker.
Gerrard told Rangers TV: "He was the best player on the pitch by a mile.
'I've almost been smiling in disbelief really at some of the reaction on the outside. I keep an eye on everything inside and outside.
"Jon is a fantastic player. He has showed his quality in the last three games. Okay, he has been finding his feet. It does take time to get up to speed with how people play, but he was an absolute powerhouse today.
"He was man of the match and the best player on the pitch by a mile."
Rangers struggled to see off James McPake's men in a hard fought contest, but Gerrard insists the players did what was required.
He stated: 'We knew what type of game to expect. I think there are certain SPFL games where you know you are going to hustle, and you are going to have to grind, and fight and do the ugly bits.
"I think to a man we did that. There are still bones we can pick out of it, and we could have killed it at the end with a bit more quality.
"We have come here for three points and we have showed the hunger for three points.
"No one will remember how we got them in time."
