The Ibrox side were given a scare early on when Colin Nish surged into the box and was given a clear shot at goal but, fortunately for the home side, he dragged the shot wide.

At the other end of the park, Hamed Namouchi nodded into the path of Francis Jeffers but the on-loan Charlton striker was denied his first goal for Rangers by goalkeeper Alan Combe, who blocked the header at the back post.

Rangers did not have to wait too long for the opener though.

Referee Calum Murray ruled Peter Lovenkrands had been brought down by Garry Hay inside the box, and even though the Kilmarnock defender argued the foul was outside the area, the penalty was given.

Dado Prso stepped up for the spot kick and confidently slotted home from 12 yards.

Hay had the opportunity to make amends minutes later but his curling free-kick was met with a brilliant one-handed save from Ronald Waterreus.

Prso continued to look dangerous after the break and he shrugged off Gordon Greer before trying his luck with an opportunistic drive, but the effort was well wide.

Lovenkrands was denied the chance to add his name to the scoresheet when his point-blank shot from the edge of the six-yard box was somehow parried by Combe.

Instead, the goalscoring credits went to Ferguson when he played a one-two with Buffel before rounding Combe and sending a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net after 67 minutes.

It was proving to be a frustrating day in front of goal for Lovenkrands when Buffel set him up for the shot, following a mazy run into the box, only for the Dane to stab wide from six yards.

The third goal did eventually come after 82 minutes - with a little help from Kilmarnock.

Ferguson collected a superb ball from Buffel before unleashing his shot.

In a desperate attempt to clear, Gordon Greer's outstretched leg succeeded only in guiding the ball into the back of his own net.

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