The struggling Stamford side, who have picked up just one point from their 14 league games so far this season, raised their game for the derby duel.

But Rutland had enough artillery despite the absence of top scorer Robbie Pearce to maintain their two-point lead at the top.

Manager Andy Saddington said: "It was a run of the mill win.

"They tried hard and we knew it wouldn't be a walkover with it being a local derby.

"But they never really threatened us and we could have scored more than the three goals we did get."

Goalkeeper Shane Hicks made a welcome return to the Rangers side after a recent appendix operation and made a couple of good saves to keep a clean sheet on his comeback.

Rangers took the lead midway through the first half when Stu Lambie picked himself up after being upended in the box to convert the resultant spot kick.

The advantage was doubled just before half-time when Richard Nelson, who had earlier missed a good chance, made no mistake with his shot from just inside the penalty area.

Liam Hollingworth spurned a good opportunity to increase Rangers' advantage before Nelson sealed the win with 15 minutes remaining when he headed home a Lambie cross.

Rangers will now be looking to extend their lead at the top this weekend when they entertain Deeping Sports with nearest title rivals Ramsey and AFC Fletton in action against each other.

Rangers: Hicks, Flavell, Bain, Saddington, Farr (Dalby), Hollingworth (Jones), Forbes, Wood, Lambie, R. Nelson, M. Nelson.