Andrew Dickson reporting from Ibrox

RANGERS extended their SPL lead to seven points by beating Falkirk but Walter Smith will have been happier with the result than their performance.

With Celtic not playing at Aberdeen until tomorrow, the Light Blues had an opportunity to put pressure on their Old Firm rivals.

But while they did just that with this 2-0 win, it was an awkward afternoon against a stuffy Bairns outfit.

Gers certainly created the best chances in the game, particularly in the second half, but took time to add to their lead.

That made for an anxious closing period as Falkirk threatened to snatch a point they will feel they merited for their efforts late on.

In the end, Stevie Naismith's clincher - his fourth goal since joining the club from Kilmarnock - made sure of the win and sent home fans home happy.

Manager Smith made three changes to the side which drew 0-0 with Hibernian in the Scottish Cup at the start of the month.

Boyd and Jean-Claude Darcheville were paired in attack, with Steven Whittaker also returning after injury.

Naismith dropped to the bench as a result, with Sasa Papac and Charlie Adam being omitted from the squad and rested.

Despite freshening things up, Gers struggled to make an impact early on and Falkirk had the better opportunities.

Indeed, Scott Arfield was unfortunate to see two efforts land just off target in an encouraging opening spell for the visitors.

Once Rangers finally got a grip of the game, it didn't take them long to go in front and they led midway through the first half.

Darcheville's pace was causing the visiting defence problems and when he tried to surge past Kenny Milne, the stopper was penalised for fouling him.

Boyd was the surprise choice to step up and take the resulting free kick but he didn't disappoint and rifled home with the aid of a deflection from 22 yards.

Having scored his 15th club goal of the season and 17th overall, Boyd fancied his chance when Darcheville was hauled down again in the left channel by Milne.

But this time his set piece hit the wall and when he volleyed a Chris Burke corner goalwards before the break, goalkeeper Robert Olejnik saved superbly.

The Light Blues kept their momentum going after the break and should have doubled their lead within moments of the restart.

Brahim Hemdani fed Darcheville on the left and when Boyd missed his low cross, Barry Ferguson somehow turned the ball past the post from three yards.

From there on, it was Falkirk who enjoyed more possession and although they created little up front, the way they passed the ball around made the home support restless.

As the Bairns became more threatening, Smith knew something had to change and he threw on Naismith for Boyd.

Carlos Cuellar nodded just past in an instant after good work by Kirk Broadfoot and Olejnik saved well from Ferguson after Naismith's teasing cross.

Cuellar then had another header scrambled away and Olejnik palmed Burke's drive away for a corner as Rangers tried to put the game beyond doubt.

But Falkirk hit back and looked more and more likely to level the scores with time beginning to run out.

That was, at least, until Naismith intervened and after he robbed Darren Barr, he coolly curled home to lift the tension.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Cuellar, Whittaker, Burke, Ferguson, Hemdani, McCulloch, Darcheville (Novo 83), Boyd (Naismith 66).

Subs not used: Alexander, Davis, Dailly, Furman, Fleck.

Falkirk: Olejnik, Cregg, Ross, Moutinho (Clarke 60), Barratt, Aafjes, Milne (Latapy 54), Arfield, Barr, Finnigan, Scobbie.

Subs not used: Supple, Bradley, Mitchell, Stewart, Robertson.

Referee: Brian Winter.