Barry Ferguson gave Rangers a lift in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race by claiming the only goal of the game against Motherwell at Ibrox.

The home side's captain came to the rescue with a 73rd-minute strike to hand Rangers their first SPL victory since the 1-0 win over Celtic at the same venue on March 29.

The Ibrox side are now four points behind their rivals with two games in hand - and four trophies remain in their sights.

Rangers headed into the match aware there was no more room for error if they wanted to keep the title race in their own hands.

Goals had been hard to come by in recent matches - 210 minutes of football against Fiorentina had ended goalless before a spot-kick triumph, while Sunday's SPL clash at Hibernian also ended 0-0.

Manager Walter Smith opted for an attacking line-up, with Jean-Claude Darcheville and Kris Boyd deployed up front, and boosted by the pace of Nacho Novo on the left of midfield.

Steven Whittaker also returned from suspension to claim a starting role, meaning Sasa Papac was dropped and Daniel Cousin and Christian Dailly had to settle for places on the bench alongside Charlie Adam - who had recovered from a knee injury which had threatened to end his season.

Motherwell rested several key players for their defeat to Celtic at the weekend and, with third place and a UEFA Cup slot still up for grabs, goalkeeper Graeme Smith, Simon Lappin, Ross McCormack, Stephen Hughes and Steven McGarry all returned.

The prelude to the match was dominated by images of Rangers' route to the UEFA Cup final being beamed around Ibrox and perhaps the video clips had an effect on the Rangers players, who dominated early on.

The first opportunity arrived with just two minutes on the clock. A neat pass from Darcheville allowed Barry Ferguson to release Boyd through on goal but the danger was cleared by the Motherwell defence before he could shoot.

Boyd then played Darcheville into the box before making a run to collect the return pass only to lose his footing and swipe at fresh air.

David Weir also came close when he saw a long-range header touched onto the crossbar by Smith, before Nacho Novo lashed the rebound into the side-netting.

At the other end Hughes set up McCormack, named in the Scotland squad for the first time earlier on Wednesday - but he dragged his shot across goal and narrowly wide.

With half-time approaching, Boyd teed up a shot for Darcheville - only for the Frenchman to fire wide of target as the first half ended in stalemate.

The Light Blues faithful would have jeered such a scoreline in the past but their anger was reserved for the match officials, with the players leaving the pitch to shouts and cheers of encouragement.

Set-pieces had proved to be Motherwell's Achilles heel against Celtic and they almost succumbed to an opener against the other half of the Old Firm two minutes after the restart.

Steven Davis' inswinging corner found the head of Weir but the veteran defender was again denied when he glanced across the goalmouth and past the upright.

The breakthrough eventually came when a Davis corner was headed on by Weir to Ferguson, who was waiting on the edge of the six-yard box to gratefully lash into the top corner of the net.

Motherwell immediately brought on Chris Porter and Darren Smith for McCormack and Keith Lasley, while Rangers swapped Darcheville for Adam.

Boyd thought he had wrapped up the win late on when he netted - but the nearside assistant had already flagged for offside before the shot had left his boot. The striker then made way for Cousin as Rangers held on for victory.

Dundee United are next up in the league for Rangers, before next week's UEFA Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.

Teams:

Rangers Alexander, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, Davis,Ferguson, Thomson, Novo, Boyd (Cousin 86),Darcheville (Adam 76).

Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Dailly, Lennon, Emslie, McMillan.

Goals: Ferguson 74.

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Brian McLean, Craigan, Reynolds,Fitzpatrick, Malcolm, Lasley (Darren Smith 75), Lappin, Hughes,McGarry (Clarkson 60), McCormack (Porter 75).

Subs Not Used: Daniels, Hammell, Murphy, Meechan.

Booked: Hughes, McCormack, Lappin.

Att: 48,238

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).