The strength and skill of Stranraer brought them three vital points in their promotion bid, but they almost cetainly consigned their weakened opponents to a spell in the lower divisions.
Slack defending cost Berwick a goal after 11 minutes when an unmarked Kevin Gaughan headed in a right-wing corner from Lee Sharp. Within a minute Gareth Hutchison almost equalised, but Michael McGovern brilliantly turned over his shot.
Paul McManus wasted two good opportunities for Stranraer, but after 49 minutes Kevin Finlayson slotted home a clever pass from the lively Michael Moore. Hutchison missed a sitter, heading over an open goal from six yards after Kevin Gordon set him up.
Five minutes from time Kevin McLeish gave Rangers some hope when he turned in Gordon's accurate cross, but although they pulled out all the stops, they had left it too late and the powerful Stranraer defence repelled their desperate efforts.
Depleted by injuries, Berwiok had four teenagers on the bench, but Mark McGarty and Ian McSween were too inexperienced to spark a much-needed revival. With three away games left, Rangers now looked doomed.