Rangers reached the Scottish Premiership summit for the first time this season and extended their league winning run to six games with victory over bottom side Kilmarnock.
Despite a bright opening from Neil McCann's visitors, they were three down by half-time with Ryan Naderi's double sandwiched by strike partner Kevin Kelsy's goal.
Kilmarnock did create a number of excellent chances and struck the post but lacked composure before substitute Nicky Clescenco netted a last-minute consolation to deny Rangers another clean sheet.
Victory moves Derek McInnes' side one point clear of Celtic, who face Motherwell on Sunday (12:00 BST).
The question was whether Rangers could hit the ground running again after the international break interrupted a fine run of form and results.
Initially, Kilmarnock looked a test but were undone when James Penrice delivered a wonderful cross that strikers thrive on. Naderi was in position to nod home from close range.
A second arrived shortly after when Kelsy benefitted from a bit of fortune after mis-controlling before creating space to finish well, although Kilmarnock defensively could have done better.
The third had a high degree of luck as Djeidi Gassama's shot struck Naderi and flew home just before the break. Everyone assumed that was job done.
It was in the end but Kilmarnock will wonder how they only netted once, with Clesenco finally clinical on the counter to score.