Ryan Hardie scored two goals on his full debut as Rangers defeated Dumbarton 3-1 in the Scottish Championship.

Nicky Clark could have given Rangers the lead after 30 seconds, but blazed the ball over the bar from eight yards.

Dumbarton attacked straight after and the Rangers defence failed to deal with the goal kick properly. The ball fell to Mark Wilson, who beat Cammy Bell with his powerful shot to give the hosts a surprise lead.

Rangers youngster Tom Walsh saw his shot blocked two minutes later, and Lee McCulloch's shot was saved by Dumbarton goalkeeper Danny Rogers.

Rangers equalised in the ninth minute when Hardie bundled the ball into the net after Rogers had parried his first attempt.

Garry Fleming and Dylan Easton both missed the target for Dumbarton, with Haris Vuckic and Tom Walsh spurning chances at the other end.

In the 32nd minute, Nicky Law broke free of the Dumbarton defence, but his shot was diverted wide by Rogers's one-handed save.

Clark then saw his long-range shot saved five minutes later, and Vuckic shot wide in the 40th minute.

Hardie impressed on his full debut and scored a second in the 48th minute, volleying into the bottom corner from Lee Wallace's cross.

Vuckic put the result beyond doubt two minutes later with a long-range bullet into the top left corner.

Clark saw his effort fly over the bar in the 55th minute, and Vuckic missed the target from outside the area 10 minutes later as Rangers began bossing things.

Andy Graham forced Bell into a save in the 66th minute, and former Rangers striker Archie Campbell shot wide with 20 minutes remaining for Dumbarton.

Hardie wanted to complete his hat-trick, but shot wide from long range with 10 minutes remaining.

The victory sees Rangers tighten their grip on second place in the Scottish Championship table, ahead of the promotion playoffs.