IBROX debut hero Billy King moved Rangers eight points clear at the top of the table as Mark Warburton’s side beat Falkirk this afternoon.

The winger netted a late winner for the Gers as they edged out Peter Houston’s side in a tight encounter as the Bairns fell further adrift in the Championship title race.

Rangers will now head to Raith Rovers on Tuesday night aiming to continue their recent impressive run of results and take another step towards the Premiership.

Warburton pitched Dominic Ball into the defensive midfield berth vacated by Andy Halliday following his controversial red card against Morton on Monday night, while Dean Shiels took over from Gedion Zelalem just ahead of the Spurs kid in the middle of the park.

New recruit King to settle for a spot on the bench as Warburton stuck with the three pronged attack of Barrie McKay, Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn that has stood him in such good stead in recent weeks.

There were few chances for the Gers forward line to impress in a low key first half as Warburton’s side struggled to find their rhythm in front of an expectant home crowd.

Rangers should have been behind inside two minutes but Ibrox breathed a sigh of relief when Blair Alston headed over a Conor McGrandles cross from a couple of yards out.

James Tavernier almost put Rangers ahead with a sweetly struck volley before Danny Rogers had to tip over a Shiels cross and then save a Ball effort from the edge of the area.

It was one of few openings for the Light Blues, who were thankful to keeper Wes Foderingham and Ball as Will Vaulks’ shot was saved and then a John Baird effort hooked clear.

Warburton would have demanded better from his side at the break and Miller had the ball in the net inside a couple of minutes but his effort was ruled out for offside after he converted following a Waghorn shot that was deflected.

Rangers continued to push for an opener but Tavernier saw his free-kick blocked after a lengthy delay that saw Peter Grant and Luke Leahy booked.

After Foderingham pulled off a smart stop to deny McGrandles, Foderingham saved a Paul Watson header before Rangers went back on the attack.

Warburton’s side were still finding chances hard to come by, though, as they struggled to find a way through the Bairns defensive line.

Falkirk were always dangerous on the counter attack and Vaulks almost scored for the second time at Ibrox this season as his shot whistled by Foderingham’s post.

At the other end, King saw a low shot saved before sub Gedion Zelalem passed up a good chance to open the scoring, and his Gers account, after meeting a cross from Waghorn.

It looked like the Gers were going to drop two crucial points but there was late drama at Ibrox as King headed home a Tavernier cross into the far corner of Rogers’ net.

It was a huge moment for Warburton’s side as the Light Blue legions celebrated a key and hard fought victory.

RANGERS: Foderingham; Tavernier, Wilson, Kiernan, Wallace; Ball, Law (Forrester 60), Shiels (Zelalem 76), Miller (King 60), McKay, Waghorn

Goals: King 90

FALKIRK: Rogers, Muirhead, Grant, Watson, Leahy; Sibbald (Hippolyte 90), Kerr, Vaulks, McGrandles, (Taiwo 61), Alston, Baird (O’Hara 90)