Scottish Championship: Rangers thrash Cowdenbeath 4-1 at Ibrox

Image: Nicky Clark: Wheels away in celebration after putting Rangers 1-0 up against Cowdenbeath

Rangers beat Cowdenbeath 4-1 at Ibrox to move level on points with second-placed Hibernian in the Scottish Championship with a game in hand.

Second-half goals from Nicky Clark, Darren McGregor and two late strikes from substitute Haris Vuckic ensured Stuart McCall's men maintained their momentum after beating Hibs last Sunday.  

Cowdenbeath started the game well with Kudus Oyenuga and Sean Higgins both testing home 'keeper Cammy Bell, but it was Nicky Law who went closest to opening the scoring for the Gers with a great effort that struck the post.

Goalkeeper Robbie Thomson, who was on Celtic's books as a youngster, had to be at his best to deny Lee McCulloch and Bilel Mohsni with good stops as the home side went in search of the opener.

Rangers are level on points with second placed Hibernian after beating Cowdenbeath 4-1

David Templeton, who was back in the Rangers team for the first time since January, threaded the ball through to Dean Shiels but his low strike was well saved by Thomson just before the break.

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Rangers struck early in the second half after Thomson was unable to deal with Lee Wallace's effort and Clark (49) was on hand to open the scoring from close range.

Good work from Templeton down the right created a great chance for Clark to grab his second goal of the game but the striker was unable to find the target as he fired wide at the back post. 

Cowdenbeath were right back in the game when Oyenuga (76) capitalised on a terrible error from Tunisian central defender Mohsni and blasted the ball past Bell to make it 1-1. 

But the visitors were not level for long as former Cowdenbeath player McGregor (83) put Rangers back in front with a terrific longe-range strike that gave the 'keeper no chance.

Vuckic then sealed the points, and gave the Ibrox side their first home win since January 3, with two goals inside last two minutes.

The striker, who is on loan from Newcastle United, came off the bench and put the game to bed with a fiercely hit shot on 88 and a lovely curled effort in the last minute of the game.

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