Queen of the South 1-5 Rangers: Rout sends Ibrox side clear

Rampant Rangers romped to yet another win as they ruthlessly defeated Queen of the South 5-1 to open a three-point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship.

The result means Mark Warburton has equalled the record run of eight consecutive wins by a new Ibrox manager at the start of their tenure enjoyed by Bill Struth in 1920.

Warburton's side helped him achieve that mark in some style as they took their goals tally for the campaign to 30, an average of almost four a game.

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Andy Halliday got the opener before the visitors pressed home their advantage after the break through two Martyn Waghorn's penalties, Jason Holt and Barrie McKay.

Warburton fielded arguably the strongest side available to him, giving on-loan Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem his league debut.

But just as the visitors were looking to continue their 100 per cent record, Queens had won each of their three games in the Championship so far too and they stifled their opponents at first.

Indeed, they had the first chance when Rob Kiernan conceded a soft free-kick for a foul on Mark Millar but the home midfielder fired his set piece straight into the wall.

Waghorn immediately pounced on the resulting loose ball and did well to burst past two men before his ambitious shot from the halfway line screwed well wide.

Rangers captain Lee Wallace drilled across goal and wide, James Tavernier did the same then Kenny Miller had a go but was blocked as the away side started to settle.

Miller also found space on the right and teed up Holt but his attempt got caught under Waghorn's feet before the home side cleared.

Rangers were pressing hard and it was a matter of time before they took the lead with a terrific team goal after 27 minutes.

McKay was the architect, linking well with Waghorn on the left before slipping in Halliday who slotted under Robbie Thomson to give his side a deserved lead.

There was a setback for Warburton as he lost Wallace to an injury just after the half-hour mark and Queens tried to hit back through Alex Harris but keeper Wes Foderingham kept his drive out.

Danny Wilson's sliding tackle was enough to stop the Dumfries side in their tracks too when Ryan Conroy tried to set up Derek Lyle six yards out.

Queen of the South's chances unravelled after the break as they lost their discipline, a man and a second goal in the space of six minutes.

Striker Lyle was shown a straight red card first for motioning his head towards defender Kiernan without actually butting him.

Mark Miller was booked in the same incident and Andy Dowie saw yellow too when he bodychecked Dominic Ball in front of an open goal as he prepared to tap in Tavernier's low cross.

Referee Bobby Madden gave a penalty and Dowie was fortunate to stay on the park, with Waghorn ruthlessly punishing his indiscretion with a composed finish.

It was soon three as Holt struck at the second attempt after Thomson save his first effort after a wonderfully-weighted pass by Zelalem.

And McKay finished an excellent one-touch passing move involving Kenny Miller and Waghorn from close range to make it 4-0 with 25 minutes still remaining.

Queens conceded a second spot-kick on 75 minutes when Iain Russell handled at a free-kick and Waghorn hammered home again with an emphatic finish to round off a rout.

The home side did pull one back late on through substitute Aiden Smith but by then there was no way back and they were comprehensively beaten.