BAA battled back from 2-0 down against Southampton Rangers to salvage a 2-2 draw at Southampton Oval, however dropping two points cost them the top spot in the First Division after Paget Lions thrashed Ireland Rangers 5-0 at Malabar Field.

The top match lived up to expectations as Rangers, third in the table, led 2-0 on goals from Donte Brangman, in the 38th minute, and Ezekiel Stoneham, who doubled the lead with a 60th-minute penalty.

Second-half pressure paid off for the visitors who pulled one back in the 77th minute when Tyrell Burgess converted a penalty after Willie Clemons had been fouled. They then equalised five minutes later from another set piece when Laquan Thomas converted from close range following a free kick on the left side.

Jomar Wilkinson, the Rangers coach, was disappointed with the dropped points which would have taken them ahead of BAA, while Andrew Bascome, filling in in the absence of Kenny Thompson, was satisfied with the away point.

“Definitely disappointed for the players with the effort they put in,” Wilkinson said. “We deserved the three points, we were definitely the better team today.

“Two dead-ball situations cost us, but we were definitely committing too many fouls to allow them to have those dead-ball situations. I still pleased with the team so far, we’re still undefeated.

“We still have a lot of lessons to learn and a long way to go but we’re definitely heading the right way.”

Bascome was relieved with the point and not disappointed at losing top spot for the first time this season.

“It shows character with the team able to come back from behind,” said Bascome, who reorganised after going 2-0 down in the second half. “I made an adjustment, going to 4-2-4, a bit old school, but I had to take the gamble. It was a good game, these are the games that make champions.

“It should be interesting going into the second half. That’s why the result was very important for us today, to get the draw at their field. They had the momentum, just coming off a 12-1 win.”

Despite losing top spot, Bascome insists that BAA remain in a good position for a promotion push in the second half. “You don’t want to be up top over Christmas, too much complacency,” he said.

“I’ve been in this game long enough, it’s easy to get complacent. If you’re second or third and right there, it’s a good place to be. I was a little tentative about being in top spot.”

Paget are happy to take over that position, getting the win over Ireland Rangers that they knew could lift them ahead of BAA. Tahj Wade and Marco Piper scored two each for the Lions. Substitute Kevin Tucker’s late shot was deflected off an oponent’s head for the fifth goal as Paget ended the first half of the campaign with another victory.

Fourth placed Somerset Eagles drew 2-2 with St George’s at Wellington Oval while St David’s beat Devonshire Colts 3-2 as Kevin Hurdle netted twice for the home team. Wolves beat Hamilton Parish 2-1 at Devonshire Rec in the other match to record their first win of the season.