Wallace wraps up convincing win for Rangers

Rangers gently limbered up for Wednesday's Champions Cup second leg against Herfolge by racing into a 4-1 lead over Dunfermline at Ibrox after only 48 minutes and then cruising for the remaining 42 minutes. Dick Advocaat's side took the lead after 10 minutes when Neil McCann was brought down and Jorg Albertz thumped in the penalty.

Rangers gently limbered up for Wednesday's Champions Cup second leg against Herfolge by racing into a 4-1 lead over Dunfermline at Ibrox after only 48 minutes and then cruising for the remaining 42 minutes. Dick Advocaat's side took the lead after 10 minutes when Neil McCann was brought down and Jorg Albertz thumped in the penalty.

Stephen Boyle equalised but Rangers were back in front in the 21st minute when McCann and Billy Dodds set up Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Dodds put them further ahead before the break, while Boyle was stretchered off injured. Three minutes into the second half Rod Wallace made it 4-1 Rangers switched on the cruise control.

However, Hibernian, who have played a game more, are top of the Scottish Premier following their 2-0 win at Aberdeen but they are the only side keeping pace with the two Glasgow giants.

South of the border, Preston North End's return to the Nationwide First Division has been something of a triumph. In Deepdale's first match at this level for 20 years, North End scored in each of their first two attacks inside six minutes against Sheffield United through Michael Appleton and Jon Macken, who had both scored in last week's win at Grimsby.

Macken added a third and 10 minutes from time and the Blades' day was made complete when Paul Devlin was sent off for violent conduct as Preston ran out 3-0 winners.

Stockport County's 1-1 home draw with Wolves, who overran them, lifted them to fourth with four points. County's scorer was Ian Moore, his third goal of the season.

Nottingham Forest also have four points thanks to goalkeeper Dave Beasant, who kept Norwich City. Last week the Canaries sold their best striker, Craig Bellamy.

If their opening fanfare is anything to go by, Gillingham will find the season even more of a struggle than many predicted. Yesterday they were2-0 down in nine minutes at Tranmere Rovers and although Carl Asaba pulled one back Clint Hill re-established Rovers' two-goal lead. A Nicky Southall penalty gave the Gills some hope but they had Barry Ashby sent off as Rovers won 3-2.

Bolton won 2-0 at West Bromwich Albion to give themselves a four-point start. Albion, like the Gills, have no points.

Promoted Burnley are also on four points after beating relegated Wimbledon 1-0 at Turf Moor. Paul Weller left the Dons in something of a jam when he dashed from the half-way line before firing in.

Another of the relegated sides, Sheffield Wednesday, also await a first win following a 3-2 home defeat in the Yorkshire derby with Huddersfield Town. The Terriers raced into a 3-0 lead, Martin Smith scoring twice, and despite a second-half rally The Owls weren't wise enough to conjure an equaliser. At Fratton Park Portsmouth and Grimsby Town drew 1-1 .

In the Second Division, Millwall, after a dramatic 4-3 win at Notts County, and Walsall, 3-2 winners over Oldham, have maximum points and there are perfect starts in the Third Division for Chesterfield, Leyton Orient and Scunthorpe.

Chester City made an uncomfortable transition to non-league football with a 2-0 defeat at Rushden & Diamonds, who as usual are hot favourites for promotion from the Nationwide Conference.