Rangers took their revenge for their recent Tennent's Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Dunfermline by taking all three points upon their return to East End Park in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Charlie Adam grabbed the only goal of the game in a match that was far less convincing than last week's 5-0 rout over Dundee United.

However, the win allowed new Rangers manager Walter Smith to maintain a 100% record since his return to Ibrox.

The shock 3-2 cup defeat at the same venue a fortnight ago came in the wake of Paul Le Guen's departure when Ibrox legend Ian Durrant took charge of team affairs for one game.

Smith was installed as Rangers manager within days and immediately lifted morale with a convincing victory in his first game.

The big question now was whether the veteran boss could succeed where Le Guen failed by building on that result and bringing some much-needed consistency to the club.

He had voiced his concerns about the number of points dropped to teams in the bottom half of the SPL this season and Dunfermline fell firmly into that category.

Nine points adrift at the bottom of the table and fighting for their top-flight survival, Smith knew today's game against the Pars would be far from a walkover.

He made two changes following last week's triumphant return to the Ibrox hotseat.

Jeremy Clement was missing from the 18-man squad after admitting he is keen on a return to France, with previous boss Le Guen confirming his interest in taking him to new club Paris St Germain.

Brahim Hemdani was switched from centre-half to midfield to accommodate the absence of the Frenchman and new signing David Weir was handed his debut at the heart of defence.

Dado Prso, suspended and out for at least a month with a hamstring injury, was replaced by Nacho Novo.

Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny made four changes following last week's 1-0 defeat to Falkirk.

Goalkeeper Dorus de Vries was back between the sticks, replacing Roddie McKenzie, while Gary Mason, Phil McGuire and Jim Hamilton were all back in the first team after returning from suspension.

The first chance fell to Rangers when Novo beat McGuire to the ball only to see his shot come off the knees of de Vries.

At the other end, Jim O'Brien's inswinging corner drew gasps when it eluded everyone in the Rangers box before falling just wide of the post.

The home side were threatening again when Hamilton released Stevie Crawford into the box and he forced Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor into a decent save.

But it was Rangers who took the lead after just nine minutes when Novo sent a cross fizzing across the face of goal and Adam did well to fire home from the tightest of angles.

Only a fine save from de Vries prevented Dunfermline falling further behind when he palmed a point-blank shot from Barry Ferguson to safety.

Rangers pressed in search of a second goal and de Vries was called into action again to block a long-range drive from Novo.

Chris Burke was then released down the right flank by Ferguson and embarked on an impressive run only for his efforts to end in vain when he blasted well over the crossbar.

However, Dunfermline could have snatched the equaliser just before the break when Karl Svensson was forced into some last-gasp defending to block a Crawford effort.

Dunfermline made their first change at the interval, handing on-loan Liverpool winger Adam Hamill his debut in place of Bobby Ryan.

However, it was Rangers who were the more productive team after the restart.

Adam came close to adding to his tally, before Ferguson was denied by de Vries.

Greg Ross and Hamilton were both booked in quick succession, for a foul on Burke and dissent respectively, adding to the yellow card picked up by team-mate McGuire in the first period.

Still Rangers pressed and Kris Boyd should have done better when he was set up for the header by Weir only to nod wide of the target.

Thomas Buffel was thrown into the action for the final 20 minutes, replacing Burke.

Boyd was then denied by a one-handed save from de Vries, before Adam squandered the opportunity to grab his second of the day when he stabbed wide from the rebound.

Boyd was left shaking his head in disbelief again when Ferguson delivered a great ball across the face of goal and he missed completely at the far post.

Dunfermline had the chance to take something from the game when Hamill set up Hamilton for a close-range header but he somehow managed to nod an inch over.

Teams

Dunfermline De Vries, Shields, McGuire, Wilson,Scott Morrison, Ross (McIntyre 77), Mason, Ryan (Hamill 46),O'Brien (Muirhead 77), Hamilton, Crawford.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, McCunnie, Woods, Williamson.

Booked: McGuire, Ross, Hamilton, O'Brien.

Rangers McGregor, Hutton, Svensson, Weir, Murray,Burke (Buffel 70), Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam, Novo (Sebo 90),Kris Boyd.

Subs Not Used: Klos, Papac, Rae, Lennon, Lowing.

Booked: Ferguson, Novo, Weir.

Goals: Adam 9.

Att: 7,868

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).