Two second half penalties -- one that was scored and one that wasn't -- went a long way towards determining the Dudley Eve aspirations of these two teams at Wellington Oval.

When referee Stuart Crockwell's final whistle was blown it was confirmed that promoted Southampton Rangers would be in the Christmas tournament along with Vasco and North Village.

However, their first home loss of the season leaves St. George's with a dogfight with Dandy Town for the final place next weekend, with the odds strongly favouring the latter.

To have any hopes St. George's must beat Vasco for the second time this season and hope Town don't beat North Village.

Clay Smith's goals have played a key part in St. George's rising as high as third in the standings this season, but his 65th minute penalty miss could cost them a first ever appearance in the Dudley Eve.

At the other end, with only five minutes remaining, Jason Raynor showed Smith how a penalty should be taken when he scored to assure Rangers a top four finish after the first half of the season.

Rangers went into this game without their top scorer Janeiro Tucker who was serving a one-game suspension. The visitors, with the wind at their backs, spent a lot of time in the St. George's half but could not penetrate.

St. George's defender Philip Bailey nearly scored one of the quickest own goals of the season when his attempted clearance hit the crossbar in the third minute. A minute later at the other end Jerome Laws had a shot deflected over the bar after he got on the end of a low cross from Smith on the left.

Smith and Stevie Dickinson were causing some early problems for Southampton down the left side while for Rangers brothers Kelly and Randy Simmons battled hard in midfield trying to create openings for front men Tillman Darrell, Kwame Tucker and Dawud Tucker.

St. George's were reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute when Neil Paynter was shown the red card for a professional foul on Darrell, holding him back as he attempted to run through the St. George's defence.

However, despite the handicap on this spacious field, St. George's still almost took the lead three minutes later when Smith's attempted lob went straight into the arms of the advancing Darren Burchall after Dean Minors had put him clear.

One of Rangers' best chances fell to Kwame Tucker seven minutes before the end of the half when Kelly Simmons provided a good cross after creating an opening on the left but Tucker sidefooted wide from right in front of goal.

St. George's were relieved to have prevented Rangers from scoring in the first 45 minutes, but the visitors still looked threatening going against the wind as they continued stringing passes together.

Less than two minutes into the half Darrell stabbed the ball wide from a good position after the St. George's defence was again opened. Both teams made substitutions early in the half, St. George's replacing Laws with Gregg Foggo in the 54th and Rohaan Simons coming on for Dawud Tucker a minute later.

Ricky Hill came on for Dickinson as St. George's reshuffled while Craig Darrell replaced Kwame Tucker who went off with a wrist injury.

However, it was the Rangers substitutions who proved more decisive as Simons and Darrell on the flanks caused the St. George's defence problems.

Still, the East Enders should have taken the lead when Ryan Belboda was blown down for pulling on Smith's shirt inside the penalty area.

Smith, approaching the ball with only a couple of steps, hit his effort wide of the post and Rangers were let off.

The visitors were prevented from taking the lead in the 70th minute of this emotion charged match when 'keeper Troy Hall blocked a snap shot from Darrell.

Soon after Hall scrambled a tricky shot from Randy Simmons around the far post for a corner.

Rangers were finally rewarded for their determination when Simons was fouled by the advancing Hall after breaking through on the right side. Raynor made no mistake from the penalty spot, blasting his effort into the roof of the net to become only the second Rangers player this season to score more than one goal.

St. George's: T.Hall; D.Bailey, N.Paynter, Q.Francis, P.Bailey; D.Wright, M.Outerbridge, S.Dickinson (R.Hill 63 mins), J.Laws (G.Foggo 54 mins), D.Minors, C.Smith.

Southampton: D.Burchall; R.Belboda, P.Brangman, L.Simmons, J.Raynor; N.Burrows, R.Simmons, K.Simmons, T.Darrell, K.Tucker (C.Darrell 69 mins), D.Tucker (R.Simons 55 mins).

Men of match: Dean Bailey (St. George's), Pernell Brangman (Southampton).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.