Rangers made heavy weather of defeating a stubborn Motherwell side, but eventually secured the victory which increased their lead at the top of the league to four points, if only for 24 hours.
When Lorenzo Amoruso swept the ball home in the opening minute, after the ball had deflected off Claudio Caniggia from Mikel Arteta's pass, the home fans anticipated a goalfeast, but instead, the visitors forced their way back into the match.
Motherwell nearly drew level minutes later when Martyn Corrigan beat the home defence to the Steve Hammell's cross, but his powerful header was magnificently saved by Stefan Klos in the Rangers goal.
Well striker Dirk Lehmann limped off just before half-time and it was his replacement Iain Russell who nearly equalised for the visitors just after the break, but he miss-hit his shot in front of goal after Hammell had created the chance.
The Gers pressed forward in search of that vital second goal and saw a Peter Lovenkrands effort deflect off Corrigan and roll past the post, before Woods frustrated the home attack yet again with a brave save at the feet of Canigga.
Just as the home side's frustrations were mounting, Rangers added to the lead with a simple goal. A quick turn by Arteta gave the midfielder space in the box and his accurate cross was headed powerfully home by Lovenkrands from six yards.
The match was definitely over for the visitors shortly after when they were reduced to ten men after David Partridge was ordered off for a wild lunge at Fernando Ricksen.
Woods was beaten once more in the final minute when Ronald de Boer scored with a tap in, after the Motherwell keeper had done well to block a powerful shot from Lovenkrands