William Hill Scottish Cup Fourth Round

RANGERS 0

KILMARNOCK 3

GUTSY Killie put a challenging week behind them by holding Rangers at Ibrox and setting up what should be a challenging replay at Rugby Park next Tuesday night.

The visitors had to fight a rearguard action, especially in the second half against a strong Rangers side who are strong favourites for the Championship title.

It was a welcome boost a week after a home defeat against Hamilton Accies had triggered the resignation of manager Gary Locke.

Visiting caretaker boss Lee McCulloch was proud of his team's efforts and said: "I was delighted with the way the team bounced back from a disappointing result last week. The coaching staff around me have been great and helped me. I joked to them that that was the best result I've had in my managerial reign. It shows the boys can do it - they can pass the ball and be organised."

Killie looked to have picked themselves up considerably from the previous weekend and the Rugby Park side forged some good early chances. Early on Greg Kiltie whipped over a cross and former Aberdeen striker Josh Magennis sent a header inches wide of target. Then a Craig Slater shot was saved by home goalie Wes Forderingham.

Then Gers came close to breaking the deadlock when a James Tavernier rocket from 22 yards crashed off the post.

Just after the interval the Glasgow side were unlucky when Danny Wilson sent a header over the bar from close range.

Rangers were in the ascendancy for the rest of the second half as Killie began to fade. And the hosts should have scored late on but top goalscorer Martyn Waghorn shot well wide from close range.

In the final minute Killie were reduced to 10 men when Kallum Higginbotham was sent off for a studs up tackle on Tavenier.

It was a spirited showing for Killie who surely have a chance in the replay if they display similar commitment.

But before that on Saturday they head to Fir Park to face Motherwell in what should be a testing drop zone battle.

They can take a measure of confidence from their performance at Ibrox into that game.

KILMARNOCK: MacDonald; Balatoni, Findlay, Smith, Slater, Dicker, Kiltie, Obadeyi, McKenzie, Magennis. Subs: O'Hara, Hibbingotham.

STARMAN: Jamie MacDonald 3

Conrad Balatoni 2

Stuart Findlay 1.