John Lundstram's first-half goal proved decisive as Rangers won 1-0 at Ross County on Friday to stay on the coattails of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

But following a pair of 3-2 comeback wins over Hibernian and Aberdeen respectively in Michael Beale's first two games as Rangers manager, this was a far more tame contest.

Lundstram scored the only goal of the game in the 35th minute at Dingwall when Fashion Sakala squared the ball to the midfielder who, from 20 yards, had time and space to let fly with a left-footed shot low past County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.

Victory saw Rangers close to within six points of reigning champions Celtic but their arch Glasgow rivals will restore their nine-point lead at the top of the table with victory at home to St Johnstone on Saturday.

Elsewhere, former Motherwell midfielder Liam Polworth's long-range shot earned 10-man Kilmarnock an unlikely point as the visitors came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Fir Park.

Kilmarnock appeared destined for defeat after falling behind to goals from Kevin van Veen and Callum Slattery before Alan Power was sent off in the 68th minute.

Paul McGinn's own-goal got Killie back into the game five minutes later and they did not have to wait long for an equaliser, with Polworth's 75th-minute strike sealing a draw.

A share of the points left Motherwell in ninth place, with Kilmarnock tenth in the 12-team Premiership.