Rangers 5 Dunfermline Athletic 1

Last updated : 01 October 2005 By Footymad Previewer

Rangers eventually strolled to a convincing victory, although when substitute Noel Hunt scored for the visitors just after half time there were several anxious moments in the Rangers' defence.

The home side had gone in at the interval two goals ahead thanks to efforts by Thomas Buffel and Dado Prso, but it was not until another substitute, Federico Nieto, restored their two-goal advantage that they were able to relax.

Peter Lovenkrands and another substitute, Ross McCormack, added further goals late on to make the score-line more emphatic.

Rangers were first to threaten when Chris Burke was first to Olivier Bernard's cross, but the winger sent his shot wide.

The home side took the lead when Bernard's cross eluded everyone but Buffel at the back post, who forced the ball home despite the efforts of Yannick Zambernardi and Bryn Halliwell.

Rangers went further ahead through Dado Prso. Sotirios Kyrgiakos' shot was deflected high into the air, and Burke showed good control before laying the ball back to Prso, who side-stepped the defender before shooting high into the net.

Noel Hunt stunned the home team when he leaped high to head home a Greg Ross cross just after the interval. Rangers endured some nervous moments for the next 15 minutes until Nieto skillfully volleyed home Prso's head flick.

Rangers gained confidence from this goal, and Lovenkrands side-footed home, via a post, a Ross McCormack cross before the young substitute forced home at the second attempt a Bernard cross.