John Lundstram, Cyriel Dessers, James Tavernier and Scott Wright were all on target for the Light Blues as they booked their place in tomorrow evening’s draw.
It was the first competitive match following the winter break as Rangers kicked-off their Scottish Cup campaign against the League Two side.
It had been eight years since the last meeting between the teams in April 2016, with James Tavernier’s goal proving to be the difference that afternoon in a 1-0 victory at Ibrox in the Scottish Championship.
For this one, there was a first start of the season for Robby McCrorie as he lined-up in goal behind a back four of James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Ridvan.
John Lundstram, Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell were in midfield, with Rabbi Matondo and Ross McCausland supporting striker Cyriel Dessers.
Cantwell had an early sight of goal as he directed a James Tavernier cross just wide within the opening three minutes before Cyriel Dessers saw an effort blocked by Harry Broun as Rangers pushed for an early goal.
Shortly after, John Lundstram had a strike blocked by Matthew Shiels before Ross McCausland recovered the ball on the right. The youngster did well to pick out Rabbi Matondo inside the area but he was unable to keep the ball down as it drifted over the bar.
Connor Goldson was next to have a go as he headed wide from a Tavernier corner as Rangers continued to create opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes.
Dessers came close again as Matthew Shiels’ clearance landed for Lundstram on the edge of the box and he managed to link-up with the striker. The Nigeria international did well to turn and open up space for a shot but his drilled effort was just high of the target.
There was a first chance of the match for Dumbarton as they made ground down the right before Michael Ruth got a connection from close range which Robby McCrorie managed to block to deny the League Two side an opening goal.
A mix-up at the back for Rangers almost let the home side in again as Tony Wallace picked-up on a loose pass and sent the ball into the box in search of Ruth but McCrorie was able to gather.
However, it was Gers who found the breakthrough from a corner with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining in Dumbarton. Cantwell delivered the ball into the box, with John Souttar getting a touch to flick the ball towards goal and John Lundstram was on hand at the back post to head home from close range and give Rangers a deserved lead in this cup tie.
It was 2-0 to the Light Blues shortly after and it was Cyriel Dessers who got himself on the scoresheet. It was another good attacking move from Rangers as Nico Raskin played the ball out to James Tavernier, with the captain whipping a superb delivery into the box and Dessers was able to touch beyond Brouns for his 10th goal of the season.
Early in the second-half Rangers came close to a third as Matondo used his pace to drive from inside his own half towards goal but his final effort was deflected wide for a corner.
With just over 10 minutes of the half played, Philippe Clement turned to his bench as he made three changes to his side with Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence all introduced in place of Ridvan, Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell.
Dumbarton were still looking for a route back into this tie as Ryan Blair tried to drill a low strike beyond Robby McCrorie from the edge of the box, but it was deflected wide for a corner for the League Two side.
There was a change in attack for Rangers with 25 minutes of the match remaining as Fabio Silva came on to replace Cyriel Dessers.
With 77 minutes played, Gers were awarded a penalty as Rabbi Matondo went down in the box under a foul from a Dumbarton defender as he looked to cut the ball back across goal. James Tavernier took his place at the spot and sent his right-footed penalty into the back of the net to all but secure Rangers’ place in the next round.
Following the goal, there was a final change for Rangers as Scott Wright came on for the final 10 minutes in place of Rabbi Matondo.
Harry Broun pulled off a good save in the Dumbarton goal as he blocked a powerful strike from Tom Lawrence before Fabio Silva almost had a first Rangers goal as he weaved his way into the box before getting a shot away at goal but it bobbled just wide of the target.
Dumbarton found a goal back with three minutes remaining as Ryan Wallace whipped a ball into the box, with former Rangers Academy player Matthew Shiels heading beyond McCrorie.
It wasn’t the end of the scoring as Scott Wright restored the three-goal advantage in the final minute of the match with a fantastic low drilled effort from distance which nestled in the bottom corner.
Rangers will find out their fifth round opponents tomorrow evening.
RANGERS: McCrorie, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan (Barisic, 57), Lundstram, Raskin (Jack, 57), Cantwell (Lawrence, 57), Matondo (Wright, 79), McCausland, Dessers (Silva, 65).
Subs: Butland, Balogun, Devine, Rice.
Dumbarton: Broun, Hilton (R.Wallace, 67), Malcolm, Orsi (Lynas, 86), Blair, Pignatiello, T. Wallace (Wilson, 79), Gray, Shiels, Ruth (Bryne, 79), , Crighton.
Subs: O’Neil, Vata, Lennon.