David Templeton scored a brace as Rangers dominated Annan Athletic, coming through 3-0 despite having a man sent off when just a goal ahead.
Barrie McKay caused Annan problems early on and both Fran Sandaza and Andy Little could have done better with openings created by McKay.
Rangers were pelting the visitors' goal in the opening 15 minutes and Sandaza came closest, curling a shot that was fingertipped away by Alex Mitchell.
© PA Photos
The Annan keeper kept out Little once more but could do nothing to stop Templeton's low drive through a crowd of bodies finding the bottom corner in the 28th minute.
Diminutive Templeton almost added a second minutes before the interval with a stooping header that was beaten away by Mitchell's quick reactions.
On the hour mark Annan were presented with an opportunity to get back into the game when Lee Wallace was penalised for deliberate handball in the area and sent off for the offence.
The visitors could not, however, take the chance as Neil Alexander guessed correctly and palmed away Ally Love's penalty low to his right.
Rangers punished this miss two minutes later when Little was released to bear down on goal and tuck into the far corner.
Templeton put the result beyond doubt 18 minutes from time by dancing into the area and lashing the ball into the corner of the net.
Annan almost pulled a goal back after 84 minutes but Love's header was saved by Alexander.
© PA Photos
Pascal Lemesre
