Kris Boyd showed Rangers exactly what they would be missing if he was sold this month by masterminding their win over Falkirk in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Falkirk took a shock early lead through Steve Lovell before Boyd - who had looked to be on his way to Birmingham after an offer of more than £3million was accepted - hauled Rangers back into the game from the penalty spot.

Patrick Cregg and Sasa Papac were dismissed to reduce both teams to 10 men before Boyd grabbed his second of the day, much to the delight of an Ibrox faithful who were furious at the club's plans to sell their leading goalscorer.

Steven Davis then rounded off the victory in the final minute, as Rangers slashed Celtic's lead at the top of the table to two points ahead of their game against Aberdeen on Sunday.

It had been another turbulent week off the field for Rangers, who were well aware of the pressure they were under to deliver a positive result against Falkirk.

Ibrox chairman Sir David Murray had been targeted by fans' groups, who launched a 'We Deserve Better' campaign to voice their unhappiness at the owner's running of the club.

Boss Walter Smith had feared protests at this game could have a detrimental effect on his team but the match passed without any demonstrations.

Another talking point, defender Madjid Bougherra's plan to wear a black armband in protest at Israel's actions in Gaza, also failed to materialise following opposition from the Scottish Football Association.

As well as Boyd, talented teenager John Fleck had been linked with a move south of the border, with Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly among those interested in the 17-year-old.

He earned his first SPL start against the Bairns - perhaps to underline how much Rangers value him - replacing Steven Naismith.

Falkirk handed a debut to former Hearts and Celtic defender Steven Pressley who joined the Bairns following a spell with Danish outfit Randers.

Pressley did well early on when Kenny Miller burst through on goal and the veteran defender produced a well-timed tackle to prevent the striker from unleashing the shot from the edge of the box.

Rangers were then stunned to find themselves trailing with just 12 minutes on the clock when Lovell handed Falkirk a surprise lead.

Neil McCann was the provider with a through ball to the feet of Lovell, who skipped past Bougherra.

The shot was far from convincing and Allan McGregor appeared to get a slight touch but the goalkeeper could not prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.

Rangers could have restored parity when Boyd's lay-off was met by Miller but he was denied the leveller by a superb finger-tip save from Robert Olejnik.

At the other end, Scott Arfield tried his luck with a speculative shot from distance which was not too far away and dipped just over the crossbar, although McGregor did appear to have the effort covered.

Boyd then went to ground in the box following a challenge from Olejnik but the goalkeeper appeared to take the ball and no penalty was en.

There was another plea moments later, this time for a McCann foul on Barry Ferguson, but the claim was also ignored by referee William Collum.

The official finally did point to the spot on the stroke of half-time when Boyd was fouled by Patrick Cregg and the striker stepped up himself to lash home his 21st goal of the season.

McGregor was then called into action when he raced off his line to make a dramatic clearance as Lovell bore down goal. Arfield collected and tried to chip the goalkeeper but was well wide of target.

Rangers' hopes of winning the game received a boost with 52 minutes gone when Cregg was shown a straight red card for a crunching tackle on Pedro Mendes.

Boyd then saw his downward header from close range blocked as the home side desperately battled for a winner, before the Falkirk keeper then produced an excellent save to bat a header from Kirk Broadfoot at the back post to safety.

Rangers suffered a set-back of their own when Papac was also shown a straight red card with 12 minutes to go for a challenge on Mark Stewart.

But the Ibrox side refused to give up and surged into the lead a minute later.

Nacho Novo had come off the bench to replace Miller and he pounced on a Davis ball before drawing a save from Olejnik with an angled drive.

The ball broke kindly to Boyd and all that was required from the striker was to tap home the rebound from close range to secure an important win.

Davis put the gloss on the victory when he slotted home from six yards in the final minute.

Teams:

Rangers McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Davis, Mendes, Ferguson, Fleck, Boyd (Whittaker 84), Miller (Novo 72).

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Edu, Niguez, Velicka, Ness.

Sent Off: Papac (77).

Booked: Miller.

Goals: Boyd 45 pen, 80, Davis 90.

Falkirk Olejnik, Bullen, Scobbie, Pressley (Higdon 83), Barr, McNamara (Holden 46), McBride, Cregg, McCann, Arfield, Lovell (Stewart 70).

Subs Not Used: Barclay, Riera, Barrett, Allison.

Sent Off: Cregg (51).

Booked: McNamara, Bullen, Arfield.

Goals: Lovell 12.

Att: 48,811

Ref: W Collum (Scotland).