Ayr United 0-2 Rangers: Clark and McKay goals see Gers through

Rangers continued their strong start to the season with a fifth consecutive win as they defeated League One side Ayr United 2-0 in the Petrofac Cup.

Nicky Clark and Barrie McKay scored in a good first-half display as the Mark Warburton's Ibrox side dominated the tie.

Warburton's men should have won by more as they kept their bid to win the lower-league event for the first time going.

But while they didn't keep the same intensity after the break, they didn't have to and were comfortable victors.

Clark missed their first chance, a low shot straight at home keeper Greg Fleming, and Tom Walsh had an effort blocked too.

But it wasn't long before the visitors went in front and after a crunching foul by Steven Docherty was punished with a yellow card, they went 1-0 up with less than 15 minutes gone.

Jason Holt, so impressive in the Ibrox team's first few games, linked up well with Walsh and they combined to set up Clark, who scored his first goal of the season on the turn.

Walsh was denied soon after as Paddy Boyle got in the way of his goalbound shot with Rangers already threatening to pull out of sight.

They have looked slack in defence at times, however, and almost undid their good work when Ayr striker Craig Moore was able to get past keeper Wes Foderingham only to hit the side netting.

James Tavernier had a low drive palmed away, Walsh was kept out as the hosts threw bodies in his way and Clark also had a close-range attempt smothered.

It seemed only a matter of time before Rangers made it two and three minutes before the break they got their second.

Walsh did well to win possession in central midfield and fed McKay who, despite having three defenders in front of him, picked his spot well to finish inside Fleming's near post.

The Championship side eased off after the restart as thoughts began to turn towards their home league clash with main title rivals Hibernian on Sunday.

But Walsh and McKay still looked lively and had shots but couldn't add to the tally while referee Stephen Finnie chose not to award a penalty despite Gerry McLauchlan's poor tackle on Oduwa.

Holt should really have made it three but he and substitute Martyn Waghorn got caught in each other's way and the former hit the side netting instead.

Rangers then hit the post through Clark after great work by Waghorn on the right and Oduwa hit the target with a low attempt but Fleming held it.

Ayr's only real chance to get back into the tie came from a cutback to Moore but the on-loan Motherwell player lifted over the crossbar.

Rangers consequently took their place in the quarter-final draw, which takes place at 2.30pm on Thursday at Hampden Park.

They are joined in the hat by Peterhead, Livingston, Dunfermline, Stenhousemuir, St Mirren and Queen's Park, who all won their ties on Tuesday.

League Two side Elgin City are also still involved after they shocked Championship outfit Alloa on Wednesday, winning 2-0 in extra-time.