KEEP BELIEVING. Mark Warburton has faith in his plan and his players, and the Ibrox crowd are trusting their manager and their side that bit more with each passing week.

A ninth successive Championship win was recorded on Saturday as Rangers extended their advantage over Falkirk, maintained their lead over Hibernian and took another small step towards a Premiership return.

The Light Blue legions have seen the Gers sweep teams aside on several occasions this term, but their latest win was a far different kind of victory. It was one they had to fight even harder for, but one they yet again deserved.

The goals that clinched the points against Falkirk came late in the day, but there was always a sense that they, whether sooner or later, would arrive for Rangers.

When Dean Shiels opened the scoring after just three minutes, the midfielder finishing off a neat move that split the Bairns’ defence, the Ibrox crowd hoped it was going to be the start of another free-flowing showing from their team.

Glasgow Times: 03/10/15 LADBROKES CHAMPIONSHIP .  RANGERS V FALKIRK .  IBROX - GLASGOW .  Dean Shiels (left) challenges for the ball with Falkirk's Will Vaulks. (40611642)

Instead, Rangers had to dig deep as they hauled themselves to victory rather than sprinted over the finishing line. They showed another side to their game, but the blue print remained the same.

Having lost their advantage to a superb effort from Will Vaulks, the midfielder finding the corner of Wes Foderingham’s net from distance, Rangers found themselves under pressure and frustrated.

As sweet a strike as Vaulks’ goal was, there was a sense of déjà vu about it as well. Like Simon Lappin only a few days previously, he was left unmarked on the edge of the area and afforded too much time to shoot.

It was a similar kind of error from Rangers and one that must be corrected. It didn’t prove as costly this time out, though.

“No one likes to concede a goal,” Warburton said. “If you look back at the St Johnstone goal from the corner, and again today, they are two great strikes.

“He hit it really sweetly. It happens. But we responded really well.”

It may have taken until the closing stages for Rangers’ fightback to come to come to fruition, but the competitive affair made for entertaining viewing.

Chances came and went as Falkirk acquitted themselves well, perhaps better than any other Championship side has against Rangers this term, and believed they could be the first team to take points from the league leaders.

With 10 minutes remaining, it looked as though they had a shout. But two of Warburton’s most important players and consistent performers stepped up to the mark once again.

Where before there would have been tension in the stands and panic on the park, there was an air of belief around Ibrox as Rangers pressed and probed in search of a winner.

There were no aimless long balls into the area, no deviation from the approach that has stood them in such good stead to date.

Rangers continued what they have been doing for several weeks and they got their rewards.

Glasgow Times: Referee John McKendrick looks on as Rangers right back James Tavernier scores his free-kick against Falkirk on Saturday.

The controversy over the award of a free-kick for Tom Taiwo’s challenge on Nicky Law doesn’t take away the skill and execution of the strike that followed, James Tavernier curling the ball into the net as Ibrox erupted.

Falkirk were aggrieved and Rangers were relieved. Soon, Warburton’s side would be victorious as well, Lee Wallace rifling the ball home to clinch the points in the closing seconds. Rangers’ patience paid off.

“It was tight and they were a tough opponent,” Warburton said. “They were organised, they were resilient, they were committed and dangerous on the counter attack.

“It was a great goal they scored, a great strike. It was a tough game, a very tough game, but we stuck to it.

“We had to believe in what we were doing, take care of the football and the rewards came late. It was pleasing to get three points.”

Warburton may have been pleased, but his opposite number was anything but come full-time. The final whistle sparked celebrations in the stands and controversy on the touchline.

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Mark Warburton alongside assistant Davie Weir

Peter Houston will have to return to Glasgow in the near future to defend himself against an SFA charge after a gesture and post-match outburst against referee John McKendrick.

He was incensed at the award of the free-kick which lead to the second goal and an early challenge on midfielder Craig Sibbald, yet Warburton was far from happy with the official’s performance, either.

“The game is 90 minutes long, there are lots of different bits and piece,” he said. “There is no point looking at one particular aspect.

“I think you would agree, the crowd would agree, there were a number of contentious decisions. We just have to get on with the game and be as professional as we can.”

The aftermath may have been dominated by the performance of McKendrick, but Warburton will spend the coming days focusing on the showing of his side.

With the Petrofac Training Cup quarter-final against Livingston postponed until later this month, the Gers squad will look to make the most of a couple of days off before attentions turn to the visit of Queen of the South a week on Saturday.

It will see Rangers go in search of 10-in-a-row in the Championship. It is another feat they will believe they can achieve.