Kris Boyd pinched a goal late in the first half to send Rangers in with the lead at Dumbarton this afternoon.
Alley McCoist's men travelled to Dumbartonshire for their Scottish Cup third-round clash with goalkeeper Steve Simonsen ruled out, the English shot-stopper having suffered a head injury during Tuesday's League Cup win over St Johnstone.
Twenty-eight-year-old back-up keeper Lee Robinson was rarely troubled during the first half, however, Colin Nish's left-footed shot from outside the box the closest Dumbarton came to the Gers' goal.
Richard Foster saw a similar effort fizz wide at the other end, letting fly from outside of the box and coming close, but not close enough to trouble Jamie Ewings in the Dumbarton goal.
The half looked as though it was going to fizzle out after a stoppage due to a Kenny Miller injury, though on the stroke of half time Kris Boyd broke the deadlock with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner, sending the visitors in on a high.
