GLASGOW, Scotland (AFP) — Fallen giants Rangers needed two late goals to book their place in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Falkirk yesterday.

Rangers had the best of the first-half chances but lacked a killer touch in front of goal as they failed to get past a stubborn Falkirk defence.

Sixteen of Rangers’s last 19 goals have come in the second half and the restart signalled a bombardment of the Falkirk goal with Jon Daly heading an effort over the bar before Lee Wallace fired just wide.

The League One side had a great chance to make the breakthrough when Falkirk were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute.

David McCracken was shown a straight red card after he clipped the heels of Nicky Clark as he chased down a Daly headed flick-on in the box but Michael McGovern saved Lee McCulloch’s penalty with his feet and the Rangers skipper’s follow-up was ruled out for offside.

Substitute Fraser Aird smacked the crossbar with a powerful shot seconds after coming on and then saw his deflected strike trundle agonisingly wide of the post as Rangers made their extra man count.

The match looked to be heading to a replay before Nicky Law gave Rangers a deserved lead in the 89th-minute lead.

Ian Black’s free kick was knocked down by Bilel Mohsni and Law angled a low shot through a ruck of players into the far corner as Rangers scored for the 25th consecutive match.

Mark Millar had a late chance to grab an equaliser for 10-man Falkirk but he blazed his shot high over Cammy Bell’s goal before David Templeton sealed the win with a goal two minutes into stoppage time.

Lewis MacLeod threaded a great ball through to Templeton who stroked the ball beyond McGovern as Rangers made it 18 wins in a row to book their place in Monday’s draw.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist felt his side deserved to win the game.