After the first half ended level at four apiece the tie in the end was comfortably won by Rangers - despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.
The goalfest began when Mathew Santos shot Saltcoats into the lead with barely 10 minutes on the clock.
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Within a couple of minutes Paul McBride levelled things for Kilsyth with a shot from just inside the box, but Mark Tyrell then conceded a penalty which Sean Quinn easily converted to restore the home lead.
The goals were coming thick and fast and almost immediately Liam McCroary who brought Rangers back to equality - only for a piece of totally comic defending on Rangers’ part to allow Stephen Reid to put Saltcoats ahead for a third time just on the half hour mark.
Good work between Nicky Prentice and Franny Kelly allowed the latter to again bring Rangers back level and two minutes later Rangers were ahead for the first time in the game, Iain Diack netting despite Saltcoats claims for offside.
But just on half-time Michael McGee was red-carded for denying Saltcoats a goal scoring opportunity and Quinn again netted from the spot to bring a crazy first half to a close at 4-4.
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Despite being a man down Rangers were a much more composed and better organised side after the break.
It took a little time before they made it pay, McBride getting his second goal with a header.
Danny O’Neill, on for Kelly, was making his presence felt with some good work and when Diack got his second and Rangers sixth it was really game over.
Scott Davidson came on for Prentice and when Paul McBride completed his hat trick it just served to emphasise Rangers second half superiority.
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Saltcoats substitute McKenzie added a very late fifth goal for the seasiders but much too late to make any difference.