Rangers fight back at Kilmarnock to stay top

James Tavernier curled in a terrific free-kick to level the scores after Rangers fell behind

Rangers battled back from a goal down to preserve their two-point Scottish Premiership lead with a dogged and important victory at Kilmarnock.

But as Philippe Clement's men sought salvation, four stunning second-half minutes swung the match.

James Tavernier bent home in a trademark free-kick, then Tom Lawrence viciously slotted from the left after a driving run and ricochet.

Kilmarnock, beaten at home for only the third time this season, remain fourth, a point ahead of St Mirren and 12 behind Hearts.

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Rangers began with the assured air of a team in the groove, Fabio Silva had an early shot deflected wide before Connor Goldson's thunderous header was beaten clear by Will Dennis.

There was a degree of self-harm about the opener, but Armstrong's persistence was telling.

The winger snapped at the heels of Borna Barisic by the corner flag, the Croatian tumbled, and grabbed the ball, expecting a free-kick. Instead, he was penalised for hand-ball.

Kilmarnock took the set-piece short and Armstrong's delivery was blocked by the arm of the jumping Lundstram. Armstrong calmly fired down the middle as Jack Butland flew to his right.

Rangers gave themselves palpitations again soon after, Mohamed Diomande awkwardly scooping a pass back towards Butland from halfway but missing his target.

Butland was fleet enough to reach the ball before the galloping Liam Polworth, who protested bitterly that Diomande has clipped him on his way.

The goalkeeper, so often a saviour for Rangers, was needed again soon after the break - in a big way.

A quickly taken free-kick sprung Kyle Vassell down the right, and his cut-back rolled into the path of Matty Kennedy eight yards out. Kennedy looked certain to score. Butland kept him out, springing to his right and pawing the shot away.

Rangers stirred, and how. In four rip-roaring minutes, they turned the tables.

Lawrence was the architect, first steaming down the middle and bouncing a shot wide, being fouled by Polworth in the process. When Rangers need a hero, their captain arrives. Tavernier whacked the ball high into the top right corner.

Moments later, Lawrence swaggered forward again. He was clipped once more on the left, but managed to scoop the ball towards Oscar Cortes and Cyriel Dessers in the box.

Kilmarnock couldn't clear decisively, and when it broke back to Lawrence he rasped low across Dennis.

Dessers struck the bar from a Tavernier corner soon after, but Kilmarnock remained a threat on the break, Kennedy blasting at Butland from distance on the half-volley, and Armstrong's teasing ball slipping wide.

They howled for a penalty when Liam Donnelly crashed to ground under Nicolas Raskin's challenge, but the officials saw no foul.

And, in the end, Rangers passed a stern examination of their title credentials.

More to follow.