Sons went ahead through Andy Graham after 14 minutes but Rangers struck back with Jon Daly and Lee Wallace scoring before half-time. Dumbarton had chances to equalise in the second half and as the game wore on the home crowd became restless, before Dean Shiels wrapped up the points with a breakaway goal in stoppage time.

Dumbarton boss Ian Murray opted to go with the same starting line-up which defeated Cowdenbeath 3-1 the previous week.

Rangers’ caretaker manager Kenny McDowall made three changes to the side which were embarrassed in a 4-0 defeat to Hibs at Easter Road. Jon Daly, David Templeton and Kyle Hutton replaced Nicky Clark, Fraser Aird and Ian Black.

Dumbarton started the match well and after five minutes Colin Nish flighted a great cross to the back post, but it was just beyond Garry Fleming. Archie Campbell and Fleming were occupying the right and left midfield positions respectively in a 4-4-2 formation.

A positive opening period for Sons turned into a dream start when, after 14 minutes, they went 1-0 up. A Scott Agnew corner was headed down by Colin Nish and Andy Graham was there to prod the ball home.

Incredibly Dumbarton could have doubled their lead a couple of minutes later. A cross found Colin Nish in the box with acres of space — but he could only direct his header straight at Steve Simonsen. The big striker perhaps should’ve done better and put Sons on course for their first win over Rangers since 1894.

The Ibrox crowd were growing frustrated as Sons continued imposing themselves on Rangers. Scott Agnew fired over with a free-kick from range after 20 minutes.

A couple of minutes later Rangers would settle the nerves around the ground. A ball into the box from the left by Smith was intended for Jon Daly, Lee Mair looked like he would deal with the danger but his attempted clearance hit off the Irish striker and into the net. Dumbarton players claimed it was his hand that knocked it in but referee Brian Colvin wasn’t interested.

The goal sparked Rangers into life after what had been a sluggish start from the home side. Steven Smith fired a free-kick straight at Danny Rogers while Andy Graham had to be alert to stop Kenny Miller getting to a cross from Smith.

Danny Rogers pulled off a good stop after 31 minutes, tipping a Daly header over after a free-kick from deep.

Rangers nearly went in front when Chris Turner failed to clear his lines, the ball fell nicely for Templeton, his strike looked goal bound but was deflected wide after Scott Linton slid in to block.

The home side did not let their next opportunity pass them by. A run down the left from ex Aberdeen man Smith opened up space for Lee Wallace, he squared to the former Hearts full back and he despatched a left-footed strike into the right corner.

Rangers had improved as the half wore on but it was a lead they scarcely deserved and Dumbarton would have felt aggrieved to be behind at the break.

Sons were nearly the architects of their own downfall in the 50th minute. Fleming gave the ball straight to Miller who went on a run before firing just wide of Rogers’ right-hand post.

Rangers still looked like they had a couple of gears to move up and they had a good penalty claim just after the hour when Rogers rushed out of his goal to try and claim the ball ahead of Daly. The two players jumped for the ball and Daly was knocked down, the Gers bench and crowd shouted for a penalty but referee Colvin wasn’t interested.

Moments later and Rangers should have wrapped up the three points. Richard Foster picked out Miller with a ball from the right. The former Scotland striker had plenty of room in the box but his header went wide of the post.

With 20 minutes remaining Ian Murray replaced Fleming and Campbell with Mark Gilhaney and Mitch Megginson as Sons looked for an equaliser.

Eight minutes from time a tremendous driving run from Megginson eventually led to him being brought down just outside the area. Turner took the free-kick but fired it straight into the Rangers wall.

Dumbarton forced Rangers into some last ditch defending with Nish firing across goal and Megginson having an effort blocked with four minutes to go as substitutes Gilhaney and Megginson’s energy caused the Gers problems.

Kane was next to have an effort after being played through by Nish but his effort was straight at Simonsen. There were groans from the home crowd as they grew increasingly anxious that Dumbarton may get something.

After a long ball into the box Kane had a good chance when the ball broke to him in the box but he shot over.

Kane had yet another chance in stoppage time. A cross from Gilhaney found the striker who opted to take it on the volley but his technique was poor and he blasted over what was a difficult chance.

Rangers clinched the points moments later. As Dumbarton pushed numbers forward Rangers won possession and broke up the pitch. Dean Shiels finding himself one on one with Rogers and he coolly finished the chance.