Rangers 1-0 St Mirren: Gers extend lead to 11 points in Scottish Championship

Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Championship table to 11 points with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Ibrox.

Mark Warburton's side endured a frustrating afternoon against the stubborn Buddies but substitute Harry Forrester finally broke the deadlock when he curled a shot home in the 86th minute.

With Hibernian losing 3-2 at Dumbarton following their 3-0 midweek defeat to Morton, Rangers now look firmly on course to win the title and return to the Premiership.

The visitors, who had lost their three previous meetings with Rangers this season, started brightly but home 'keeper Wes Foderingham easily dealt with efforts from Jack Baird and Calum Gallagher.

The home side then took command but found the resolute St Mirren defence hard to break down with Kenny Miller, Barrie McKay and Lee Wallace all firing wide.

Foderingham had to be quick off his line to foil Gallagher before Wallace twice spurned chances at the other end.

Miller wasted a golden opportunity to put Rangers ahead in the 37th minute when he blasted over from three yards out after good work by Michael O'Halloran, who was the next home player to shoot wide.

Rangers maintained the pressure after the restart with Miller seeing his appeals for a penalty waved away following a challenge by Andy Webster.

Buddies 'keeper Jamie Langfield was twice called into action to deny O'Halloran before Andy Halliday blasted a long-range effort high and wide.

Langfield then kept out James Tavernier's free-kick with a superb save, while Miller volleyed over and substitute Billy King fired wide for the hosts.

St Mirren remained a threat on the break, though, as Gallagher shot over and Jordan Stewart's effort was blocked by Tavernier.

Langfield continued to stand firm in the visitors' goal as he acrobatically saved another Tavernier free-kick before superbly foiling King from close range.

Danny Wilson needed to be alert to check Lawrence Shankland on the break, but it was Rangers who snatched the winner with four minutes of normal time remaining when Forrester, who had replaced Jason Holt in the 70th minute, curled a shot into the top corner from the corner of the area.

However, St Mirren almost snatched a point in injury-time when Foderingham made an excellent save from Stevie Mallan's free-kick.