David Templeton admits Rangers must quickly learn the lessons from the 1-1 draw against Montrose before they face Dundee United in the William Hill Scottish Cup.
The Light Blues blew the chance to move 22 points clear at the top of the Irn-Bru Third Division when they were hit by a late sucker punch at Ibrox.
They now face one of their toughest games of the season when they travel to Tannadice next week for the fifth-round tie.
Templeton said: "If we do get chances like we did in this game, we have to take them.
"Dundee United are a strong side and we can't give them any chances near the end of the game because they will punish us.
"They've got some very good players, such as Johnny Russell, and if we give him any chances, I'm pretty sure he will punish us.
"We will have to be a lot better defensively and make sure we cut out our mistakes."
Much controversy has surrounded the United clash, after Rangers opted against taking their ticket allocation following calls for a boycott of the fixture by fans.
But, despite the setback against Montrose, Templeton says the challenge is one the players are relishing as they seek to replicate their impressive Scottish Communities League Cup win over Motherwell earlier in the season.
The winger added: "It's one all the boys are looking forward to.
"We will have to work hard this week and make sure we are ready for it.
"When Motherwell came here, it was one of the best performances we've had this season so hopefully we can step up and play better next week."
The clash between Rangers and Montrose was the only Third Division fixture to survive the weather conditions.
But the hosts' hopes of putting further daylight between themselves and the rest of the teams were shattered when a superb last-gasp strike from David Gray cancelled out John Crawford's own goal.
Templeton said: "We had three or four clear-cut chances but I think that's been the difference recently, we're just not taking those chances and killing teams off.
"It's coming back to haunt us at the end of the game.
"We were trying to get that second goal. They got the chance to counter and I gave the ball away, which was poor from me.
"The boy scored a world-class goal and it's sore to take.
"We sort of deserved it in the end for not taking those chances that we created."
Gray was thrown into the action with 25 minutes to go and boss Stuart Garden was thrilled with his contribution.
He said: "I told him to go and make an impact - and he certainly did that.
"David has done well and he was a bit unlucky to be left out and he was disappointed to be left out.
"I told him that's the type of character that we need at the club, somebody who is going to come on and make an impact."
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