THE road to Hampden had an extra stop off for Rangers at Rugby Park but Mark Warburton’s side took another step on yet another journey.

They left it late, but it was all worthwhile in the end as they saw off Kilmarnock at the second attempt, goals in the opening minutes and closing seconds earning the Gers a quarter-final berth.

It is, of course, the Championship title that is Rangers’ main aim this term, but Warburton’s side can still dream of what would be a remarkable Treble in the coming months.

Victory in Ayrshire was dramatic but it was deserved. Now, another top flight test or a second tier rival stand between the Ibrox side and a semi-final spot.

A television blackout forced thousands of fans to watch the Champions League action from Paris or Lisbon as Scottish supporters missed out on seeing two eagerly anticipated ties at Rugby Park and Easter Road.

But those that were able to secure a ticket for this fifth round replay, and then ventured out into the Ayrshire wind and rain, were well rewarded. This was a cracker of a cup tie and one that could have gone either way until the final seconds.

It was Warburton’s side who emerged victorious, though, and will now prepare to host Dundee or Dumbarton in the next round as they continue to have a welcome distraction from their Championship campaign.

The first match between these two may have ended without a goal being scored but it was a competitive and interesting affair at Ibrox a fortnight ago. As 0-0 draws go, it certainly wasn’t a bad one.

And the action second time around once again lived up to the billing as Rangers attempted to make it third time lucky against Premiership opposition this term.

The action may have flowed from end-to-end throughout an action-packed first 45 minutes but both goals arrived early in the half as Rangers took the lead and then lost it in quick succession.

After going five games without a goal, Martyn Waghorn didn’t have to wait long to ensure he didn’t extend the run to a sixth as he opened the scoring at Rugby Park. He won and then converted a penalty as he was bundled over by former Ger Stevie Smith before sending keeper Jamie MacDonald the wrong way from twelve yards.

It was the start boss Warburton and the sizeable Light Blues travelling support would have hoped for, but the joy soon turned to disappointment for Waghorn as he was forced off through injury.

There would be no 29th goal of the campaign for the striker in Ayrshire, but there would be a chance to impress for Nicky Clark as he took over at the head of the Rangers forward line.

It was at the other end of the park where the action next peaked, though, and it was the home crowd who had a reason to celebrate this time out as Killie pulled themselves level.

Rory McKenzie cut in from the right flank and his sweetly struck shot into the far corner proved too good for Wes Foderingham, the keeper unable to prevent the ball nestling in the right hand corner of his net.

It was the reaction Lee McCulloch would have wanted from his side and just the one Killie needed as they hauled themselves back into the tie and it should have got better for the hosts just minutes later.

Rob Kiernan lost the ball on the halfway line to Josh Magennis and the crowd rose to their feet as the striker bore down on goal. By the time Magennis was ready to pull the trigger, though, Kiernan had made up enough ground to get back and deny him in the nick of time.

It was a let off for Rangers and the closest Kilmarnock came to adding to their tally before the break, although Foderingham had to be alert to keep out strikes from Craig Slater and McKenzie from distance.

Rangers had their chances as well but couldn’t make the most of two good openings as a competitive first half ended in a stalemate.

There was a moment of madness from MacDonald as the keeper picked up a pass from defender Conrad Balatoni just outside his six yard box. But Rangers couldn’t capitalise as James Tavernier’s free-kick whistled across the goalmouth without a touch from a blue jersey.

Then, just before the whistle, Clark did well on the edge of the area to feed Kenny Miller on the left hand side. The striker couldn’t find the far corner of MacDonald’s net, however, his curling effort going just wide.

It was Rangers who started the second half in the ascendancy but they couldn’t convert their possession into another goal, a terrific effort from Barrie McKay that went just wide of target the closest they came as conditions overhead and underfoot worsened.

There were appeals for a penalty when Lee Ashcroft appeared to pull Miller’s shirt as he looked to get a shot away before MacDonald turned a low drive from Jason Holt round the post.

The action was almost one way as Rangers pressed and probed in search of what looked like it would be the winner. Warburton turned to his bench as Dean Shiels and Harry Forrester entered the action but as his side swept forward, Killie were content to attempt to catch the Gers out on the break.

As Forrester saw a shot blocked by a sea of bodies in blue and white, it looked like Killie would stand firm and see it out once again.

But, as the tie entered the final seconds of the 180 minutes plus of action, it was Clark who emerged as the Rangers hero as he converted a McKay corner at the front post to send the Gers fans wild and book the Light Blues a quarter-final berth.

It was late, it was dramatic and it was hugely significant for Rangers. Who knows where this particular journey could end for Warburton and his players?