Rangers 4, Alloa 0

Rangers resumed normal service at the top of the Scottish Championship with a trouncing of Alloa at Ibrox.

Mark Warburton's side had lost for the first time in the league against challengers Hibernian last weekend but there was no prospect of a shock result against the league's bottom side as striker Martyn Waghorn grabbed a double with goals either side of a trademark free-kick from right-back James Tavernier to give the home side a unassailable interval lead.

The Light Blues cruised through the second-half of a predictably one-sided encounter with Alloa's Eddie Ferns sent off in the 78th minute for a challenge on Jordan Thompson before fellow substitute Nicky Clark made it 4-0 in injury time with a header.

Rangers remain five points ahead of Hibs and on track for a return to the top flight although they are unlikely to enjoy much easier afternoons this season.

There was a minute's silence before the game and a card display in the Sandy Jardine Stand to commemorate Remembrance weekend.

However, the home fans did not have to wait long to give voice to celebrations.

In the sixth minute Tavernier missed the target with a shot from eight yards but Waghorn's breakthrough was delayed only a matter of minutes.

Instead of picking the ball up, Alloa keeper McNeil he kicked the ball straight to the Gers striker from just outside the box, quickly despatched the ball back behind him and in to the net.

But the keeper had no chance in the 13th minute when, after Ferns had fouled Andy Halliday 25 yards from goal, Tavernier curled the free-kick into the top corner for his 10th of the season.

Further efforts came from Waghorn, Tavernier and Gedion Zelalem before Waghorn missed a sitter when, in front of an empty goal, he somehow managed to completely miss a cross from Tavernier.

In a rare attack at the other end, Alloa's experienced striker Michael Chopra escaped Rangers defender Dominic Ball but crashed his shot off the crossbar, moments before Light Blues' skipper Lee Wallace had to put in a saving tackle on Ferns after the Gers rear guard had been exposed again.

But a minute from the break Rangers increased their lead when the unmarked Waghorn volleyed a shot from 12 yards over McNeil after latching on to a Barry McKay cross.

McNeil began the second-half by saving a close-range drive from Waghorn but while the home side retained control the first-half urgency had dissipated.

Just after the hour-mark Clark and Dean Shiels replaced Nathan Oduwa and Jason Holt respectively, with Alloa substitute Michael Duffy on for Chopra.

The game remained rather flat while retaining the promise of more Rangers goals.

McNeil made yet another save from Waghorn in the 73rd minute after he had been set up by the tireless Tavernier, before Thompson replaced Halliday and when he was tackled by Ferns soon afterwards, it brought a red card from referee Stephen Finnie.

Moments later Waghorn was deprived of his hat-trick when his shot beat McNeil only to be cleared off the line, before the Alloa keeper turned his late free-kick over the bar for a corner.

However, in the closing seconds Clark headed a Tavernier cross in to put a more realistic reflection on the scoreline.