A Luka Racic own goal, a penalty from Greg Stewart as well as second half finishes from Rhys Breen and Adedapo Mebude were the difference between the two sides, but the Bees will feel disappointed not to have at least got themselves on the scoresheet with a number of good chances created.

Coming up against a Rangers side which included seven first team players, including a Premier League winner in Andy King, the Bees more than matched their opponents for large parts of the match.

It was The Bees who had the first chance of the match through Jaden Brissett when he combined well with Gustav Mogensen before shooting wide of goal.

Despite The Bees seeing a fair amount of the ball, the home side then had a chance when Jamie Barjonas shot just wide before they took the lead rather fortunately.

A low cross caused confusion between Patrik Gunnarsson and Luka Racic as miscommunication between the two saw the ball end up in the back of the net off the central defender.

The Bees then almost levelled things when Nick Tsaroulla played an excellent ball forward to Joe Adams down the left before he cut inside and sent an effort towards the far corner, but for a vital block on the line by a Rangers defender.

Brentford would then find themselves further behind when Arthur Read was penalised for a foul in the area and Stewart then stepped up to convert the penalty as he sent Gunnarsson the wrong way.

A Fredrik Hammar effort from distance, where he forced a smart stop from Kieran Wright, would be the last action of the first period as the Bees had work to do going into the break.

Credit to the home side, though, who started the second period brightly before furthering their advantage when a ball was crossed dangerously from the left found Breen who managed to get on the end of it to head over the line.

More chances came and went for Brentford with Read sending a powerful effort low towards goal before another good save from the Rangers keeper.

Mogensen would also try his luck as he looked to reduce the score line, but whilst his low effort was pushed away well, Brentford then felt they should have been awarded a penalty as David Titov went down in the area, but for no foul to be given by the referee.

Just moments later it would be 4-0 as Rangers counter-attacked and Mebude was played through the middle before he slotted home with a calm finish.

Rangers XI: Wright, Patterson, Shiels, Mayo, Breen, King, Murphy, Barjonas, Stewart, Docherty, JonesSubs: Hogarth, Mebude, Finlayson, Williamson, Maxwell, Dickson, Butterworth Booked:

Brentford B: Gunnarsson, Tsaroulla, O’Connor, Racic, Read, Adams, Hammar (Carré, 87) Brissett (Majka, 59), Mogensen, Titov, Oksanen (Mitchell, 51)Subs not used: Andersson, Koutsimouka Booked: