Gers ease back into top spot

Rangers regained top spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after sweeping to a remarkably straightforward 3-0 win in their rearranged game at Dundee United.

Walter Smith's men were expected to face one of their toughest tests of the season at Tannadice but United simply failed to turn up.

DaMarcus Beasley scored his first goal since the 2008 Scottish Cup final to hand the visitors a half-time lead before a Kenny Miller double had the champions home and dry with 15 minutes remaining.

Rangers needed Sasa Papac to clear off the line after Garry Kenneth met a corner, but the defender had already been penalised for a foul.

Jon Daly headed a Craig Conway free-kick straight at Neil Alexander from just six yards before Rangers burst forward and took a 26th-minute lead in stunning style.

From a similar position to his earlier effort, Beasley unleashed a brilliant dipping 20-yard shot that left goalkeeper Nicky Weaver floundering.

Rangers were looking comfortable and were screaming for a penalty eight minutes before half-time when Kris Boyd went down under pressure from Mihael Kovacevic trying to convert a Miller cross.

Both sides were cancelling each other out until Nacho Novo showed great determination to get the better of two United players and float in a left-wing cross for the unmarked Miller to nod home Rangers' second.

Madjid Bougherra twice went close to wrapping up the points with headers, his first effort forcing a fine scooped save by an unsighted Weaver. Miller saw a shot deflected wide before United made their final change when David Goodwillie came on for Gomis.

But Miller was on hand to end the game as a contest 15 minutes from time when Beasley cut the ball back from the byline for the simplest of finishes.