The Borderers once again deserve credit for the fighting spirit they showed throughout but in Andy Little Rangers have a matchwinner in terrific form and his volley which made it 2-1 before the half-time break was simply stunning.
It was the Ulsterman’s fifth goal against Ian Little’s side in 2012/13 and once again showed his instinctive ability to find the net.
After the interval Seb Faure, who had replaced Barrie McKay, scored his first Rangers goal on 65 minutes and this secured three more valuable points for the runaway league leaders.
McCoist made one enforced change to his team with Emilson Cribari travelling but missing the game through illness which meant Ross Perry returned to the starting line-up.
He joined Chris Hegarty in central defence with full-backs Argyriou and Lee Wallace completing the back line.
Ian Black and Kyle Hutton were flanked by wingers David Templeton and Barrie McKay in a four-man midfield.
And Northern Ireland internationals Shiels and Little started in attack, with the latter leading the line.
On the bench for kick-off were Scott Gallacher, Faure, Kal Naismith, Robbie Crawford and Fraser Aird who all played in the Reserves’ SFL league title winning 2-0 victory over Queen’s Park at Ibrox on Tuesday night.
This afternoon, however, the focus was on the first team but it was Berwick that started brightly and opened the scoring.
A wicked corner kick from Dylan Easton found Lavery at the back post and his downward header bounced off Greek right back Argyriou before beating the helpless Alexander.
On 9 minutes, however, Rangers replied. Dean Shiels was brought down in the 18-yard box by Dougie Brydon and after Calum Murray had pointed to the spot it was Shiels who calmly picked his spot after keeper Marc McCallum had dived early to his left.
It was an entertaining start to the match and on 19 minutes the referee had to look closely at a tackle by Argyriou on Easton but this time he waved away Berwick’s pleas for a penalty.
Before the half hour mark both teams were working hard and trying to regroup after conceding early on and most of the play was now in the middle of the park with Hutton and Black seeing a lot of the ball.
The bobbly playing surface wasn’t helping and it wasn’t a surprise a long punt brought the next goalscoring chance, for Berwick, on 36 minutes.
Scott Dalziel, Perry and Hegarty all attempted to win a header 25 yards from Alexander’s goal. The ball, however, dropped to Lavery but his right foot shot on the half volley was blocked by Alexander who used his legs to deny the number 9 his second goal.
At this stage Berwick were in the ascendancy but in first-half injury time Little produced his moment of magic to put Rangers ahead at the break.
Lee Wallace’s powerful cross from the left found the lethal hitman who volleyed the ball high into the roof of the net on the turn from eight yards for his 21st goal of the campaign. More importantly it gave Rangers a platform for the second period.
McCoist elected to make one change to his side for the restart with Kal Naismith returning for a two-game suspension to take the place of McKay who had a quiet first half.
And five minutes into the second period Faure was also thrown into the action with Perry coming off with a bloody nose.
Rangers were now in search of a third goal and Naismith almost had an immediate impact with a left foot shot which flew inches past McCallum’s near post.
But on 65 minutes the league leaders extended their lead and it was Faure that took his chance with aplomb.
Templeton’s deep corner was nodded back across goal by Black and after Naismith’s header had been blocked it was left to the Frenchman to drive a low, accurate shot into the net through a packed six-yard box.
Berwick kept up their impressive work-rate in the latter stages but it was Rangers who deservedly came out on top on a bitterly cold afternoon.
BERWICK: McCallum, Jacobs, Brydon, Townsley, Hoskins, Easton (McLaren 48), Janczyk, Lee Currie, Gielty, Dalziel (O’Brien 77), Lavery (Carse 68). Subs Not Used: McLean, McCaldon.
Booked: Lee Currie, Jacobs, Hoskins.
RANGERS: Alexander, Argyriou, Perry (Faure 50), Hegarty, Wallace, Hutton, Black, McKay (Naismith 46), Shiels, Templeton (Aird 85), Little. Subs Not Used: Crawford, Gallagher.
Booked: Hutton.
Att: 4,476
Ref: Calum Murray