By Graeme Macpherson at Rugby Park

SO, full points to Rangers and full marks to their supporters too. Walter Smith's men were made to work hard before maintaining their 100 percent record that sees them sit proudly top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after four matches.

All the action took place after the break following a rather lacklustre first half, with Jean-Claude Darcheville making a real difference after emerging as a half-time substitute.

The Frenchman, on for Daniel Cousin, was involved in the first goal scored by DaMarcus Beasley and later claimed what proved to be the winning goal after Danny Invincible had earned an equaliser for Kilmarnock somewhat against the run of play.

There were other positives for Smith to mull over ahead of the trip to Serbia to play Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday night.

Steven Whittaker had another impressive, energetic afternoon ahead of Alan Hutton on the right wing while Carlos Cuellar posted another stellar defensive display to further enhance his burgeoning reputation.

Credit must go also to the massive travelling support who kept up a rapturous backing throughout the 90 minutes while entirely cutting out any contentious ditties.

Smith had again delved deep into his vast playing pool to make two changes to the starting line-up that had comprehensively thrashed Falkirk the previous week.

Lee McCulloch sat out after struggling with illness all week -Beasley took his place - while Kris Boyd was favoured in place of Nacho Novo in attack.

John Fleck, who turned 16 just the day before, also made the substitutes bench for the first time in his young career.

Wearing the new third kit for the first time, Rangers began smartly and Whittaker tested Alan Combe within two minutes with a fierce drive that the keeper fielded well.

Amid a steady drizzle, play was certainly frenetic although goalscoring opportunities were few and far between, a thumping drive from Steven Naismith - that Allan McGregor did well to tip over - the closest either side came to scoring in the early stages.

Rangers continued to press and, after a strong run and cross from Daniel Cousin, Ryan O'Leary almost slid the ball into his own net before Cuellar headed over from a Barry Ferguson cross.

Boyd looked determined to score against his former side and must have thought he had done so after 29 minutes.

Kevin Thomson's free kick was expertly flicked on by Cousin for his fellow striker and Boyd struck the ball well but Combe reacted brilliantly to block the goalbound effort.

If that was impressive then his opposite number matched it eight minutes before the break. The breaking ball sat up nicely for Danny Invincible who launched a half-volley goalwards only for McGregor to leap back acrobatically to deny the Australian the opening goal of the game.

The second half began with Jean-Claude Darcheville on for Cousin and the Frenchman almost made an immediate impact when he cottoned on to Thomson's pass but he was forced wide and from a difficult angle and hit the side netting.

A minute later, however, and Rangers were in front. Darcheville was involved again, collecting Ferguson's pass and heading into the Kilmarnock penalty box.

When he was dispossessed the ball fell kindly for Beasley and he composed himself before lashing a shot past Combe.

The goal clearly galvanised Rangers and they could have had a second goal shortly after following the best move of the game.

Beasley and Darcheville combined to set up Whittaker and he side-stepped a challenge before firing in a left-foot shot that Combe parried well.

It was a let-off for Kilmarnock and they took full advantage when they drew level on the hour mark.

It was a poor goal for Rangers to lose coming as it did from their own corner. Beasley's delivery was short and hacked away by Nish, allowing Naismith to motor forward.

His pass found the overlapping Nish who crossed for Invincible to bundle his shot beyond McGregor for the equaliser.

At this point the game was very much in the balance before the scales were tipped in Rangers' favour after 76 minutes.

Beasley, looking to double his tally, saw his shot blocked but the rebound fell kindly for Darcheville who didn't need to be asked twice before powering a shot into the bottom corner to re-establish Rangers' lead. It proved to be the winning goal.

RANGERS: McGregor; Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Papac; Whittaker, Ferguson, Thomson, Beasley (Novo 90); Cousin (Darcheville 46), Boyd

Subs not used: Carroll, Broadfoot, Fleck, Emslie, Shinnie

Booked: None

KILMARNOCK: Combe; Lilley, Ford, O'Leary, Wright; Invincible, Locke (Murray 58), Hamill (Johnston 58), Wales (Fernandez 79); Naismith, Nish

Subs not used: Harpur, Dodds, Gibson, Jarvis

Booked: Wright (77)

Attendance: 11,544

Star Man

Jean-Claude Darcheville

Made a huge difference after coming on at the break