East Stirling 2-6 Rangers: Gers extend Third Division lead

FOUR months down the line it’s been a long time coming, but all those connected with the Ibrox side will no doubt be glad that the spectre of those uncomfortable early season away days has now seemingly been banished.

East Stirlingshire - Turner 40; Quinn 58

Rangers - McCulloch 12 pen, 83 pen; Little 38; Wallace 51; Kyle 63; Naismith 69

Nevertheless, despite the handsome margin of victory yesterday Ally McCoist’s men still didn’t entirely convince throughout this fluctuating encounter where an East Stirlingshire side reduced to ten men after 30 minutes

following the ordering off of Philipp Zufle gave as good as they got until they tired in the second half.

What made a real difference for the Ibrox side this time around was that they got their noses in front early on courtesy of a penalty by Lee McCulloch after Dean Shiels had been felled in the box by Sean Kelly. Events took a further twist in their favour when home midfielder Zufle received a straight red for a poor challenge on Kevin Kyle. They proceeded to capitalise on their advantage almost immediately when Andrew Little scored their second with a deflected shot that flew into the roof of the net.

Not for the first time this season, however, Rangers found themselves up against opponents who refused to go quietly with Kevin Turner stunning the visiting fans by pulling one back before half-time. Shire continued their spirited resistance after the break with another quick-fire response after Lee Wallace scored Rangers’ third. Within a couple of minutes McCulloch sent Nathan Shepherd tumbling and Paul Quinn blasted home the penalty.

It took goals from Kyle and substitute Calum Naismith for Ally McCoist’s men to finally reach the comfort zone.