IT wasn’t pretty, but it proved effective enough for Rangers. After hitting 19 goals in their previous four games to show that they were over a run of form that saw their lead in the Championship whittled away, Mark Warburton’s side had to settle for just two against Morton.

They were all the Gers needed to add another three points to their tally, though, as they once again moved five clear of Hibernian in the title race.

Victory over Hibs at Ibrox last month has proven to be the springboard to an improved run of results and showings from Rangers and they kept up the momentum in Greenock thanks to strikes in either half from Kenny Miller and Barrie McKay.

It may not have been their most free-flowing outing of the campaign, but it was a night for a win to be dug out. The points were more important than the performance.

The trip to Cappielow was the first of three crucial games in eight days that could have a significant bearing on the Championship title race before they switch their attentions to the visit of Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup next month.

Having turned around their faltering form as they saw off Alan Stubbs’ side, Dumbarton, Cowdenbeath and Livingston, the Gers could ill-afford to drop points to Jim Duffy’s side for the second time this term. It never really looked like happening.

The Light Blues will now prepare for the visit of Falkirk this weekend as they look extend their lead over the Bairns at the top of the table before a tricky trip to Raith Rovers a week today, on the same night that Hibernian will head to Cappielow.

Warburton had to make one change to the side that beat Livingston last time out as Jason Holt missed the trip to Greenock through injury.

The midfielder has arguably been Rangers’ player of the season so far and his absence was noticeable early on as the Light Blues struggled to get going and find their rhythm.

Morton harried and hassled their visitors throughout the opening exchanges as they gave Rangers little time on the ball and no space to pick their passes on the slick Cappielow surface.

The Gers should have found themselves ahead after nine minutes, though, but when James Tavernier picked out Miller in the area, the striker could only direct his header wide of the target as he looked to find the far corner of Derek Gaston’s net.

There was plenty of endeavour but little creativity from Rangers as they attempted to carve out further openings and find the route to goal for the first time of the night. Both Martyn Waghorn and McKay, the two stand-out performers of the Gers’ front three this term, struggled to get into the game and have an impact in the final third.

Rangers eventually got their breakthrough after 26 minutes as Miller netted for the 12th time this term and again highlighted his importance to Warburton’s side.

An Andy Halliday shot from outside the area was blocked and as the Gers fans behind the goal appealed for a penalty, Miller reacted quickest as he pounced to prod the ball beyond Gaston and into the net. It was a crucial strike for Rangers and one that gave them a lead that was only just merited.

It almost got worse for Duffy’s side just minutes later but Martyn Waghorn’s flick from a Danny Wilson header went just wide.

The Ton may have been behind but they were still very much in the game and they saw a penalty claim for handball against Rob Kiernan waved away before Joe McKee rifled a shot over the bar from distance.

A second Rangers goal would have all but clinched the three points but Gedion Zelalem spurned a chance to put Warburton’s side out of sight as his tame shot was saved before Waghorn and Halliday both tried their luck with no reward.

Rangers returned to the dressing room no doubt satisfied to have an advantage but there weren’t that many more positives to take from the first 45 minutes. It wasn’t a bad performance from Warburton’s side, but it wasn’t at the level they have produced in recent weeks as they have swept teams aside on league and cup duty.

Rangers survived two scares early in the second half as Declan McManus fired wide from the edge of the area before the striker was denied by Wes Foderingham after Bobby Barr got the better of Tavernier down the left flank.

It was time for Warburton to turn to his bench as Harry Forrester and Dean Shiels replaced Zelalem and Nicky Law in a bid to provide a much-needed spark to an uncharacteristically flat Gers performance.

As the clock ticked on, Morton knew they were only one decisive moment away from holding Rangers for the second time this term.

Warburton’s side were in need of another goal to ease any nerves but Miller fired just wide of target before McKay rattled the bar from 25 yards with a sweet strike.

Seconds later, the winger found the back of the net to clinch the points. It was a move typical of the style Warburton wants his side to play as McKay and Miller combined and the 21-year-old finished with aplomb.

The action hadn’t got back underway before there was another incident, though, as Halliday was sent off as he picked up a second yellow card for celebrating in the middle of the park. It was a bizarre, controversial decision that infuriated the midfielder and boss Warburton, referee Barry Cook speaking to the Englishman on the sidelines as Dominic Ball entered the action in a bid to help Rangers see out the game.

Despite their numerical advantage, Morton couldn’t capitalise as Rangers stood firm and held on to clinch a crucial victory.

They got few points for style, but the three for the win was all that mattered for Warburton’s side.