Rangers have beaten Alloa Athletic 4-0 at Ibrox after three goals in the first half secured the result.

The Gers took the lead in the 10th minute when Martyn Waghorn's shot from outside the box nestled into the bottom-right corner.

James Tavernier doubled Rangers' lead just three minutes later with a trademark free kick into the top-right corner.

Shots from Nathan Oduwa and Jason Holt missed the target before Waghorn was twice denied by Andrew McNeil.

It was not all Rangers though, and Alloa had a rare venture into the attacking half after 30 minutes. The ball found its way to Michael Doyle but the midfielder's shot was blocked.

Veteran striker Michael Chopra then gave Rangers another scare in the 40th minute when his powerful shot bounced off the crossbar.

Waghorn made it three moments later when his shot hit the roof of the net after Barrie McKay played him in on goal.

The Rangers frontman continued to torment Alloa after the restart but McNeil denied Waghorn his hat-trick with a diving save.

The Gers attack struggled to test McNeil in the second half despite being provided with ample chances.

First, Holt missed from long range, before shots from Nicky Clark and McKay also went wide.

Alloa's task was made even harder in the 79th minute when Edward Ferns was sent off for serious foul play, and Rangers continued to push for a fourth goal.

Waghorn had three more chances to complete his hat-trick but McNeil kept the score down with a string of saves.

Clark struck the fourth in the 92nd minute to complete the scoring when he headed the ball into the top-right corner from Tavernier's cross.

Rangers remain five points clear in the Scottish Championship table after Hibernian triumphed at St Mirren.