Rangers made rather heavy weather of seeing off Motherwell's challenge, despite a flying start with a goal after 30 seconds from Chris Burke
It was not until Peter Lovenkrands' goal 18 minutes from time that the home side could finally relax.
For Alex McLeish, in his 200th game as Rangers' manager, it was good to see his side scoring again after some bad games recently. From the kick-off Dado Prso beat Stephen Craigan, and when his cross was flicked on by Lovenkrands, Chris Burke slid in at the far post to score.
Motherwell nearly equalised when, from a Steven Hammell pass, Scott McDonald curled his shot narrowly wide.
From Ross McCormack's corner a Julien Rodriguez header was cleared off the line by Shaun Fagan.
Prso flashed a header wide from Fernando Ricksen's cross before David Clarkson at the other end wasted a chance after a rare mistake by Brahim Hemdani.
Graeme Smith made a fine save from a Prso header before Burke header in the rebound that was narrowly offside.
Ronald Waterreus saved Scott McDonald's powerful shot after Ross McCormack lost possession at the edge of the box. Lovenkrands and Burke both struck efforts at Smith after the break.
Lovenkrands was unlucky not to score after Prso teed up the chance and his shot hit the post before rebounding into the keeper's arms.
The second goal was not long delayed. Prso did superbly as he turned both Hammell and Kinniburgh inside out while putting the ball back from a simple tap-in by Lovenkrands. The creative striker then left to a hero's ovation, his work done for the afternoon.