Sparta took the lead early in the first half, after good pressuring from Rab Stirling caused the Rangers keeper to miscue his clearance straight to the feet of Charlie Kirkwood, who calmly deposited the ball home from 35 yards.

Kirkwood then doubled the lead after another error in the Rangers defence. The ball was passed back to the keeper, whose clearance came back off the onrushing forward, and ended up in the back of the net.

Kirkwood then turned provider for Sparta's third, as his flick set up Rab Stirling, who rounded the keeper before tapping the ball into the empty net.

Sparta made it four from the penalty spot. Michael Kelly danced around the left side of the Rangers defence, before his progress was halted inside the penalty area. Charlie Kirkwood placed home the resultant penalty to complete his hat-trick.

Rangers pulled a goal back before half time, when a dangerous ball was played into the Sparta box, and the unfortunate Stevie Thomas (a former Rangers season ticket holder, but now he's seen the light!) put through his own net.

After the break, Rangers started the brighter, and were denied a goal by an excellent goal line block from Stuart Deans.

This only delayed the inevitable as Rangers did pull a goal back soon after. Peter Condron was dispossessed in midfield, and from the resultant attack, the ball was dispatched past Jake Hansen.

Rangers piled on the pressure and pulled another goal back, when a cross from the right was headed into the Sparta net.

Fortunately for Sparta, the final goal of the game came when Rab Stirling was the recipient of a good ball from midfield, and he tucked his effort neatly into the corner of the Rangers net.

Thanks to Porky and the Rangers lads for a hard fought game. Special mention to the injured Paddy Kelly, who turned up to support the team in a fetching green and white tracksuit.

Squad: Hansen, Deans, Condron P, Walker, Condron Joe, Kirkwood, Grenfell, Donnelly, McIntyre, Stirling, Kelly M, Thomas S A, Condron James, Sangster.