Boyd strike keeps Gers in title hunt

The Ibrox side were under even more pressure to produce the goods in the wake of Barry Ferguson being stripped of the captaincy and suspended by the club, along with goalkeeper Allan McGregor, following their antics while on international duty with Scotland.

The display at the Falkirk Stadium was hardly a shining example of Rangers' ability to cope without the pair in forthcoming crucial games but was enough to move within three points of leaders Celtic again.

Disparaging chants from a majority of the Rangers support aimed at the Tartan Army, Scotland coach and Falkirk defender Steven Pressley, and the Scottish Football Association suggested Ferguson and McGregor had the sympathy of at least some of their fans.

And, although the official line from supporters groups was that they supported Walter Smith's hardline stance to suspend the pair without pay for two weeks, with speculation mounting that they have played their last game for the club, many will be concerned by how the loss of two key players will affect their title hopes.

Rangers needed a positive reaction following what had undoubtedly been a turbulent few days and that is exactly what they got.

With the first real attack of the game, Pedro Mendes slipped the ball through to Nacho Novo on the left, who did well to cut the ball back for Boyd to rifle home his 25th goal of the season from six yards with just nine minutes gone.

To their credit, Falkirk tried to hit back immediately and had a lot of play but they struggled to transform that possession into clear-cut chances, with Alexander rarely troubled in the Rangers goal in the opening spell.

A lack of understanding between Novo and Boyd then cost Rangers the chance of a second goal.

Mendes delivered a lovely pass to Novo who raced into the box - but he and Boyd attempted to unleash the shot at the same time and Falkirk were able to clear the danger.