Rangers edged out Kilmarnock 1-0 at Rugby Park to cement their place at the head of the SPL.
A sublime piece of skill from Ronald de Boer brought this match to life in the 24th minute.
Receiving the ball inside his own half, he pirouetted to lose Shaun Dillon, before sending an inch-perfect pass all of 50 yards to pick out Peter Lovenkrands on the left wing. The Dane raced on and made no mistake, lashing the ball past the helpless Gordon Marshall.
Jim Jefferies brought on Craig Dargo at half-time to increase KillieÂ’s attacking options, and the substitute almost equalised within five minutes only to be denied by a brilliant reflex save by Stefan Klos.
Killie came closer to equalising on the hour mark with Gary McSweganÂ’s opportunist strike from 35 yards bounced off the top of the crossbar.
A mistake by Andy McLaren gifted Rangers possession in the 66th minute with which the game was almost secured.
De Boer was released by Lovenkrands and the Dutchman fed Claudio Caniggia who chipped over Marshall, but inches wide of the far post.
Kilmarnock went close again in the 74th minute when Chris Innes and Kris Boyd looked to bundle DillonÂ’s free-kick over the line, but again Klos was able to smother.
De Boer had a golden chance to seal it four minutes later following CaniggiaÂ’s perfect cross, but somehow he sent his header over the top from three yards.
Lorenzo Amoruso was the catalyst for Rangers in the 82nd minute as he burst from defence and raced 60 yards before teeing up Michael Mols, but the strikerÂ’s shot skimmed the bar.