Arbroath 0 - 4 Rangers Sun 08/01/12

Salim Kerkar claimed his first competitive goal for Rangers as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Arbroath in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

An own-goal by Craig Wedderburn was sandwiched between strikes from David Healy and Nikica Jelavic before Kerkar sealed the win late on.

Rangers had crashed to defeat to Falkirk in the League Cup earlier in the season but ensured there would be no shocks against their Irn-Bru Second Division opponents.

Rangers were boosted by the return of top goalscorer Jelavic from injury for the cup clash.

John Fleck also started at Gayfield, with Kyle Lafferty injured and Steven Davis suspended following Monday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Motherwell.

Arbroath were unchanged from their defeat against Dumbarton, meaning player-boss Paul Sheerin started for the home side.

Rangers tried to pile the pressure on straight away and Healy tried his luck with a shot that went over the crossbar.

Arbroath had a decent chance when skipper for the day Carlos Bocanegra slipped, allowing Steven Doris to burst through on goal only to drag his shot wide.

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor was then called into action to produce an impressive save to tip a well-struck shot from Josh Falkingham just over.

However, it was Rangers who opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Maurice Edu's pass was collected by Jelavic and he slipped through to Healy who fired past goalkeeper Darren Hill.

Wallace raced through on the Arbroath goal only to be brought down in the box by Baxter, but the flag was up for offside. The replay showed that Wallace was onside when the ball was played and Baxter was lucky to get away with no action taken.

Hopes of an Arbroath comeback were dealt a blow when Rangers doubled their lead after 21 minutes.

Jelavic exchanged a one-two with Aluko before whipping a dangerous ball into the box that was turned into his own net by Wedderburn with Healy waiting to tap into the empty net.

Rangers were threatening again when Fleck released Lee Wallace down the left flank and he squared for Jelavic who blasted wide of target.

Hill then came to the rescue with a good save to block a powerful effort from Sone Aluko after Edu teed up the shot.

The tie could have been over as a contest within a minute of the restart had Fleck been on target but he sent his diving header past the upright.

Rangers had the net bulging again after 59 minutes when Aluko threaded into the path of Jelavic and the striker's effort smashed off the inside of the post and over the line.

There was concern for Rangers when Kyle Bartley collapsed to the turf clutching his leg after being caught by Falkingham studs, after he received treatment he was swiftly replaced by Jordan McMillan.

Kerkar had already been thrown into action for Wallace and he added his name to the scoresheet after 77 minutes.

Sasa Papac picked out Healy at the back post and he swept into the path of Kerkar to rifle high into the net and put the gloss on the win.

Teams

RANGERS: McGregor, Bartley (McMillan 74), Goian, Bocanegra, Papac, Aluko (Wylde 79), Fleck, Edu, Wallace (Kerkar 66), Healy, Jelavic,

Subs:  Alexander, Bedoya,

Arbroath: Hill, Baxter, Wedderburn, Malcolm, McAnespie, Caddis (Sibanda 45), Kerr (Gibson 83), Falkingham, Sheerin (Bryce 65), Swankie, Doris,

Subs: Burns, Busch,

Ref: C Murray

Man-of-the-match: Aluko

Attendance: 5,985