Rangers returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory in the end over Kilmarnock, who unusually went into this game three points ahead of the Ibrox side.
Rangers only had an early Dado Prso penalty to show for their first half efforts, and they survived a few nervous moments against the Kilmarnock attack.
A second goal by Barry Ferguson just over 20 minutes from time settled the home team, and Gordon Greer had the misfortune to put through his own goal near the end.
In the opening minutes Ian Murray's drive was held by Alan Combe before the visitors wasted a golden chance. Rangers' Fernando Ricksen mis-directed a header, but Colin Nish volleyed narrowly wide from 15 yards.
Combe made another good save from a Francis Jeffers header at the expense of a corner.
Peter Lovenkrands was brought down by Garry Hay just inside the area. Prso took the spot-kick and sent Combe the wrong way.
Kilmarnock then enjoyed a good spell with Kris Boyd heading over before Ronald Waterreus made a brilliant save at full stretch from his free-kick.
Nacho Novo started the second half in place of Jeffers but shot high over from Ferguson's pass. Combe hit a clearance against Novo which rebounded narrowly wide before making a good save from Lovenkrands.
Rangers went further ahead with a well-worked goal. Thomas Buffel played an early ball to Lovenkrands, whose lay-off was side-footed home by Ferguson.
The home team's third goal was almost a carbon copy with Buffel sliding a pass to Ferguson, whose pass left Prso with a simple tap-in, but Kilmarnock's Gordon Greer intervened to put the ball into his own net.