Lindsay Herron reports from Fir Park

RANGERS not so much pulled four points clear but stumbled four points clear as they made incredibly heavy weather of seeing off bottom side Gretna.

They looked like a side that had been in cold storage and in the end only just did enough to get the win they wanted.

Barry Ferguson gave them the lead just before half-time but Kenny Deuchar levelled 42 seconds into the second half to stun the Light Blues.

It was left to Daniel Cousin to seal the win in 73 minutes when he was played in by Jean-Claude Darcheville and the feeling was as much relief as anything else.

Rangers started well enough and really had enough opportunities in the opening 15 minutes to virtually secure the points.

With less than two minutes on the clock Davie Weir slid a great ball wide for the returning Sasa Papac. He pulled the ball back for Barry Ferguson whose shot was blocked and then Charlie Adam stubbed the rebound into the ground allowing Tony Caig to make an easy save.

Three minutes later Stevie Naismith nipped in front of Caig to collect Stevie Whittaker's ball forward but instead of trying to find a team mate he shot from a tight angle and missed the target.

Gretna were still on their heels in nine minutes when Weir found Naismith with a terrific pass and the young striker cut inside but shot past the left post.

Then a minute later Chris Burke came charging in from the right and flashed a left foot shot wide.

The signs were certainly there that Rangers were in the mood but the game degenerated in the middle of the first half. Indeed Gretna might have scored in 35 minutes.

Papac gave the ball away in midfield and a slip by Carlos Cuellar suddenly allowed Kenny Deuchar a clear run at goal in the left channel but his left foot shot was blocked by McGregor's left boot.

Perhaps stung by that let-off Rangers finished the half strongly and got the goal they wanted.

Burke showed intent, breaking from halfway and shooting inches wide but it was the skipper who showed Rangers the way.

With seconds remaining in the half Ferguson latched onto Naismith's flick-on and finished with some style from just inside the box.

You would have thought that would have settled Rangers down but, incredibly, they lost a goal 42 seconds into the second half.

No-one closed down Allan Jenkins as he moved down the right and no-one picked up Kenny Deuchar as he connected with Jenkins' cross to power a header into the net.

It was a shocker from Rangers' point of view and the bench were furious.

Ferguson tried to retaliate immediately but his free kick was pushed wide for a corner.

Then in 52 minutes Burke played the captain in with a cute pass but his left foot shot was blocked by Caig and then he fired the rebound into the side netting.

Cousin was through a minute later, played in by Ferguson, but Collin made a great tackle even if the Rangers fans behind the goal were screaming for a penalty,

Rangers did have a big claim in 55 minutes when Naismith was tripped by Naughton but refere Ian Brines awarded a goal kick.

Another big decision went against Rangers in 59 minutes when Caig appeared to carry the ball outside of his box but neither Brines nor assistant Steve Pullar appeared to see what everyone else in the stadium could see.

Walter Smith made a switch in 67minutes bringing on Jean-Claude Darcheville for Naismith and putting him up top beside Cousin to change the shape to 4-4-2.

Within six minutes the new dual strikeforce combined to give Rangers the goal they desperately wanted and needed.

Darche took a pass outside the box and fed a great ball for Cousin who skipped past Caig and then found the net from a tight angle.

You could almost sense the relief among the Rangers supporters and management.

However, it was fair from plain sailing until the end. Skelton should have scored for Gretna in 84 minutes but Davie Weir made a great block to divert his shot over the bar.