IT was a win for Rangers at a sunny Dumbarton Stadium as they completed their first season in the Scottish Lowland League.
Goals from Tony Weston, Ross McCausland and a double from Cole McKinnon saw the Light Blues to a 4-3 victory against Dalbeattie Star in the final game of the league season.
Weston gave Rangers the lead before a double from Russell Currie saw Dalbeattie ahead at the break. Cole McKinnon scored either side of a Ross McCausland strike in the second-half to secure the victory for Rangers.
David McCallum named three changes from the midweek Old Firm derby victory in the Glasgow Cup as Jay Hogarth, Johnly Yfeko and Arron Lyall all came into the starting line-up with Lewis Budinauckas, Leon King and Alex Lowry not involved.
Rangers lined-up in Dumbarton with Jay Hogarth in goal and a back four of Adam Devine, Johnly Yfeko, Kyle McClelland and Robbie Fraser.
Murray Miller, Cole McKinnon and Charlie McCann were in midfield, with Ross McCausland, Aaron Lyall and Tony Weston the front three for Rangers.
There was an early chance for the visitors as Ryan Muir picked out the run of Dylan Cairnie to send him through on goal but the low effort was blocked well by Jay Hogarth before Ross McCausland fired a shot over the bar for Rangers as both sides looked to get the breakthrough in this match.
The young Gers were beginning to put pressure on the visitors and came inches away from an opener with 15 minutes on the clock. Charlie McCann laid the ball off to Cole McKinnon who had space at the edge of the box to get a shot away. His powerful strike beat goalkeeper Darren Holt but rattled back off the crossbar before the danger was cleared.
However, the opener did come for the Light Blues just minutes later with McCann again involved in the build-up play. The midfielder picked out Tony Weston with a lovely ball to send the striker through on goal and Weston showed composure to fire low beyond Holt to give Rangers the lead.
Russell Currie tried a short from distance for the Dalbeattie shortly after as they looked for an equaliser but his powerful strike was held by Jay Hogarth.
Just minutes later, Currie again drilled a strike towards goal and this time the striker got his rewards as Hogarth was unable to get a touch and it landed in the back of the net to draw Dalbeattie level in this match.
Rangers almost responded instantly in an end to end spell as Robbie Fraser’s cross met Ross McCausland and he tried to guide the ball into the bottom corner but it was cleared off the line by a Dalbeattie defender.
The visitors had taken confidence from their goal, and had a few opportunities as the game approached half-time. Dylan Cairnie had a low effort held by Hogarth before Lewis Todd flashed a shot across goal and just wide of the right-hand post.
Rangers had a fantastic chance to take the lead before the break as Arron Lyall’s shot was blocked by a Dalbeattie defender before Cole McKinnon struck another powerful shot at goal. For the second time in this match the midfielder was denied by the crossbar as his strike rattled the woodwork.
In the 44th minute Dalbeattie were awarded a penalty as the referee pointed to the spot after a foul on Lewis Todd in the box. Russell Currie stepped up to take the spot kick and fired down the middle to send his side in with a lead at the break.
David McCallum made one change to his side at half-time as Johnly Yfeko was replaced by Greig Allen.
It was a strong start to the second-half and Rangers were back level just five minutes after the restart. Robbie Fraser swung a dangerous ball into the box from the left which Ross McCausland fired home at the back post.
The visitors had a chance as Russell Currie headed the ball down to Lewis Todd but his shot from around the penalty spot drifted high over the bar.
Rangers were back ahead in this game just after the hour mark and it was a fantastic strike from Cole McKinnon. The woodwork was not to deny the midfielder for a third time this afternoon as he drilled a shot from 20 yards out into the back of the net.
Aaron Lyall was denied by the keeper before substitute Robbie Ure fired just wide of the target as Rangers looked to increase their advantage.
From a Robbie Ure corner, Cole McKinnon hit a shot on the volley from inside the box but it dipped just over the bar.
The young Gers managed to increase their advantage as the final whistle approached at Dumbarton. Kane Ritchie-Hosler found Cole McKinnon in the box and the midfielder fired low into the back of the net for his second of the afternoon.
Harry Emmerson looped a shot over Jay Hogarth in the dying stages of the game to make it 4-3 but Rangers held out for all three points.
RANGERS: Hogarth, Devine, Fraser, Yfeko (Allen, 46), McClelland, Miller (Ritchie-Hosler, 60), Lyall (Harkness, 86), McKinnon, Weston (Ure, 72), McCann, McCausland (Lindsay, 86).
Subs not used: Pazikas.
Dalbeattie Star: Holt, Muir, Park, Todd, Douglas, Dickinson, Sloan (Emmerson, 72), McMahon, Currie, Degnan, Cairnie.
Subs not used: Smith, Irving.
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