Rangers reduced Hearts' lead at the top of the Scottish Championship to six points with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Dumbarton at the Bet Butler Stadium.

The Gers piled on the pressure in the opening stages, with early chances falling to Lee Wallace and Nicky Law, neither of whom managed to find the target.

Dumbarton struggled to contain Rangers, but had a goalscoring opportunity of their own in the 14th minute as Garry Fleming gained possession in the danger zone and dragged a shot wide of Steve Simonsen's post.

Ally McCoist's side were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute when David van Zanten brought down Wallace in the box. Lee McCulloch stepped up to take it, but Danny Rogers saved well to his left.

The Gers would not rue the miss for long as striker Kenny Miller fired them in front two minutes later, turning in Steven Smith's cross at the back post.

Rangers started the second period brightly and should have extended their lead in the 54th minute when Kris Boyd picked out Miller with a through ball, only for Rogers to come to Dumbarton's rescue and deny the striker at point-blank range.

It took the visitors until the hour mark to extend their lead, with Wallace going on a surging run before exchanging passes with Miller and shooting across the keeper to put his side in control.

McCoist's men made the game safe in the 72nd minute courtesy of a Boyd strike, with the veteran nodding home a Smith cross from the left to put the away side out of sight.

McCulloch almost made amends for his penalty miss by burying a free kick late on, but Rogers produced a good stop to keep the deficit at 3-0 come the final whistle.