Alloa Athletic 0-1 Rangers

Rangers recorded a first victory of the season over Alloa, who remain in the relegation play-off place with no wins in their last eight league games.

Nicky Law's 10th goal of the season proved to be crucial as Rangers maintained their pursuit of Hearts.

In often tricky conditions, Kenny McDowall's side could and should have scored more.

But Alloa themselves had opportunities to score and threatened to further dent Rangers' promotion push.

Instead it was a first win on the road for McDowall as manager and though it was short of convincing, the three points and clean sheet were welcomed by the travelling support.

As Rangers' off-field travails continue to cause sleepless nights for those fans, the on-field fare has generally offered scant relief.

Indeed, had Liam Buchanan's early lob over Steve Simonsen finished in the net rather than narrowly wide, Alloa could have been on course for another upset.

As it was, Law soon had Rangers in front, side-footing past Craig McDowall from close range, set up by Jon Daly.

They perhaps should have been further ahead by half-time, with the sprightly Kenny Miller's shot off the post the closest they came to achieving that.

David Templeton and Fraser Aird might have made the victory look a more polished one had they each not had powerful shots well kept out by McDowall.

But Alloa were never out of the game, playing some nice football and Simonsen had to react well to push away Greig Spence's well-hit free kick.

And when Kyle Hutton managed to divert a Buchanan cross over his own bar when it looked for a second as though it might end up in the net, Alloa's chances came to an end as did their recent supremacy over their opponents.