A first-half double from Alex Lowry and a goal from Jack Harkness gave the Light Blues a positive advantage at the end of the first 45, before Ross McCausland netted the fourth and final goal for his side in the second half.
From the team that started midweek in their SPFL Trust Trophy cup tie, David McCallum made three changes to his Rangers side.
Lewis Budinauckas retained his position between the posts with a defending back four of Jack Harkness, Lewis MacKinnon, Connor Allan, and captain Robbie Fraser in front of him.
In the midfield, Mackenzie Strachan joined Arron Lyall and Charlie Lindsay, with Alex Lowry and Ross McCausland supporting Zak Lovelace up front.
The game swung back and forth during the opening stages of the game as Bo’ness looked to navigate their way into a well-defended Rangers box.
Lyall did well to slide a pass through a narrow pocket of space in the visitor’s backline to Lovelace who was advancing towards Ally Adams in goals. The striker took a lovely deft first touch to gain immediate control of the ball, but the flag was unfortunately raised for offside before he could execute his effort.
However, the Gers didn’t have long to wait as Lowry opened the scoring with just 12 minutes on the clock. After an initial clearance from the Rangers box, Fraser made a sensational race for the ball down the left flank and then showed impressive physicality to win possession from Dan Watt.
The captain then darted towards the opposition box where he picked out an unmarked Lowry patiently waiting between the sticks. The youngster took a couple of key touches to create some space before he struck the ball over the line and into the back of the net.
The squad quickly looked to add to their tally and build from this early lead. It was Lowry who continued to be a thorn in the Bo’ness backline after he curled in a gliding cross from the right side across the face of the goal, but his delivery was just unable to connect with any blue shirts.
McCausland then collected the stray ball at the back post before he switched to Lindsay who sent in a ferocious effort towards the back of the net, but his shot could only sting the palms of Adams in goals. Yet, Harkness read the passage of play well and fired a blistering strike from the deflection straight into the top corner of the goal to double his side’s lead.
The Light Blues built confidence from this excellent start to the first half and continued to create problems for Bo’ness right across the pitch. However, it wasn’t all one-way traffic with the visitors pushing forward intently but Budinauckas and the defensive line did well to defuse and redirect the danger when threatened.
In the latter stages of the first 45, Lyall and Lovelace created some positive passages of play in the middle of the park. The two wove their way into dangerous positions within the Bo’ness final third and after great link-up play between the two youngsters, Lovelace released the ball to Lowry from the right side who looked hungry for more.
Lovelace’s delivery floated to the feet of the young Ger at the back post where he was able to calmly slot his second past Adams and stretch his side’s lead further as they headed in for the half-time break.
As the two side’s returned for the second half, Bo’ness looked to create early pressure and quickly rectify the score line. The attacking front three did well to break closer to Budinauckas in goals, but the backline made some key interceptions and blocks to deny the visitor’s an opportunity.
Budinauckas was forced to make an acrobatic save after Bo’ness unleashed a bulleting strike headed for the back of the net, but the Gers keeper made a sensational dive to stop the ball from crossing the line.
The squad looked to quickly move the ball in the opposite direction, Lindsay fired a powerful effort from within the Bo’ness box, but Adams made a key save to prevent another goal. His deflection then fell invitingly to the feet of McCausland who immediately struck the ball and sent the ball smashing into the back of the net.
In the final moments of the match, the visitors were able to gain a goal back after dangerous play into the Rangers box. Kyle Johnson sent a low effort across the pitch floor from the edge of the box where it rolled past the arms of Budinauckas to end the score 4-1 at Dumbarton.
RANGERS: Budinauckas, Harkness, MacKinnon, Allan, Fraser, Strachan (Ciubotaru, 62), Lyall (Young, 66), Lindsay (Mulindwa, 90), Lowry (Graham, 46), McCausland (Willox, 90), Lovelace.
UNUSED SUBS: Pazikas, Webster.
BO’NESS UNITED: Adams, McCormack, Macauley, Locke, Hawkins, Hughes, Grant, Gemmell, Watt, Hamilton, Walker.
UNUSED SUBS: Digaba, Miller, Todd, Johnson, Heeps, Jacobs, Murdoch.
REFEREE: Andy Gamble
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Steven Clark and Scott Grier