THREE has become two in the Championship title race but it is Rangers who remain on course to be number one come the end of the campaign.

Victory over Falkirk on Saturday didn’t ensure it will be Mark Warburton’s side who lift the silverware this season, but it all-but ended the Bairns’ ambitions of doing so.

With Hibernian taking a break from league action to book themselves a place at Hampden, Rangers knew they had to make the most of their chance to move eight points clear at the top of the table.

It was an opportunity they didn’t waste, but it was one that was so nearly spurned as two crucial points were almost dropped before the intervention of Billy King.

When the final whistle goes in the Championship this term, Rangers, and Falkirk, will look back at the two Ibrox encounters between them and ponder just how crucial they were in deciding their respective second tier fates.

In October, Peter Houston’s side pushed the Gers all the way before a James Tavernier free-kick nine minutes from time and a late Lee Wallace effort clinched a win that was far from comfortable for the Light Blues.

On Saturday, the Bairns got even closer to taking a point away from Glasgow but were denied at the death, King heading home a Tavernier cross with just seconds to spare as the roar of celebration was followed by a sigh of relief around Ibrox.

The performance may not have been at the level Warburton would have sought, but the outcome was the main aspect for Rangers as another win was added to their tally and they moved ten points clear of Falkirk in the standings.

While Rangers celebrated a hard-fought victory, their visitors were left with nothing to show for their efforts. Falkirk had their chances, but it was Rangers who got the goal.

“We weren’t at our best, it was a bit laboured and we lacked a bit of quality and self-belief, especially in the final third,” Warburton said.

“But, all credit, we kept trying to do the right things and were patient with the ball. It was that patience that paid off with a great ball from Tav, a great run from Billy and the finish.

“It was really pleasing. Sometimes you have to win ugly, and today was one of those. Falkirk were well organised, good quality, and are a real threat so it was a tough test for us.”

As they passed another examination of their title credentials, Rangers took another step towards the Premiership. Defeat to Falkirk a few weeks ago has proven to be the catalyst for a run which has now taken them clear, albeit having played one game more than Hibs.

The promotion battle will resume on Tuesday evening when Rangers face Raith Rovers and Alan Stubbs’ side make the tricky trip to Cappielow aiming to ensure they don’t lose any further ground at the top of the table.

The celebrations at Ibrox in the aftermath of King’s header and the full time whistle proved just how important victory on Saturday was. It maintained the momentum and ended Falkirk’s ambitions.

It could prove to be one of the defining moments of Rangers’ campaign, a key goal and crucial win that could have a major say in the title race. It was, perhaps, the mark of champions.

“I think it is,” Warburton said. “You have to look back and sometimes you have your flowing football and you play very well, you create chances and take them and you walk off comfortable winners.

“It was a tough test and we knew that. They counter so we had to make sure our shape was good, a couple of times we were sloppy, or more than a couple of times.

“We know we were sloppy but it was important to get the three points and it puts a bit of daylight between us and third.

“It is a nice gap now and now all our focus is on Tuesday and delivering another good performance to get three points then move on from there.”

If Rangers are to make it seven consecutive wins, and a sixth in succession on league duty, at Stark’s Park tomorrow, they will have to be much improved across the field, but in particular from middle to front.

Saturday was one of the rare occasions this term where Warburton’s side found chances hard to come by as they struggled to carve out the same number of opportunities they have done so many times this term.

There was a different look to the Gers midfield as Andy Halliday missed out through suspension and Jason Holt was once again absent through injury. If both return in Kirkcaldy, it would be a major boost to Rangers’ chances of victory.

Warburton said: “He had a tweak [on Friday]. We thought he was fit but he had a small tweak and we are not going to risk it.

“There is no point with 14, 15 games to go, and cup games. He was disappointed but we are better safe than sorry.”

With the finishing line almost in sight, there are fewer and fewer hurdles left for Rangers to overcome in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

Now Warburton will hope his side can pull clear of their only challengers and win the title by several lengths rather than sneaking it by a nose as they look to avoid a photo finish this term.