Gers hand Motherwell six of the best

Doubles from Kenny Miller and substitute Kyle Lafferty gave Rangers a 6-1 win over Motherwell which extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League yesterday.

Miller followed up his double in the 3-0 win over Dundee United on Tuesday with two super strikes either side of Kris Boyd's 13th goal of the season.

Shaun Hutchinson pulled one back for Motherwell with a bullet header but it was just a consolation as Lafferty netted either side of a DaMarcus Beasley strike to seal an emphatic win.

With rivals Celtic not playing Hearts until today it gives Rangers a four-point advantage at the top.

Walter Smith made two changes from the side which swept past Dundee United in midweek with Allan McGregor returning in goal and Kevin Thomson replacing Lee McCulloch.

Lafferty replaced Boyd in the 70th minute and it took him just five minutes to get on the scoresheet. Miller was involved again as Beasley scored the fifth in the 84th minute.

A mistake from keeper John Ruddy helped Rangers make it 6-1 with two minutes left.

The keeper rushed out his box to attempt to clear a long ball from Beasley but Lafferty got there first and fired the ball through the legs of Ruddy to get his second of the game.