A late consolation goal by left-winger Craig Darrell was the only joy for a jaded Southampton team during this Dudley Eve Trophy tie at White Hill Field yesterday.

Their indifferent performance saw Rangers become the first casualty in the tournament, while Dandy Town moved on to the next stage tomorrow night.

Town emerged emphatic winners thanks to two goals from striker Khari Sharrieff and single tallies by Darron Simons, Ascento Russell and substitute Mike Wells. They led 1-0 at the half on Sharrieff's first goal.

The outcome became obvious early on as Southampton's defence took on a desperate look, playing without key senior players such as skipper and centre-back Pernell Brangman and Ryan Belboda.

It was this jittery, fiddling defence that presented Town with a Christmas bonus, committing errors which ultimately led to goals.

One of the guilty offenders for Southampton was young right full-back Jamal Stevens who was lured out of position time and time again.

But he wasn't their only problem as they were also embarrassingly inept up front where Tillman Darrell, Rohaan Simons and Craig Darrell were no match for a defence marshalled by centre-back Pernell Douglas and Diallo Sharrieff.

In midfield though Southampton matched their opponents with Olin Jones, Corey Simmons and Kwame Tucker prominent. But with the attack unable to read their passes it was a frustrating day for the trio.

Town, with Lionel Furbert, Russell and Kurt Martin creative in the middle, were more settled and swept down on their opponents with precison early in the game.

Sharrieff was unlucky after 20 minutes when his shot, struck while lying on his side, rebounded off the upper edge of the bar after Russell and Troy Lewis had combined.

Southampton's lone chance in the first half came when Rohaan Simons on the right wing managed to get around left full-back Antony Wilson only to put his cross into the hands of goalkeeper Antoine Lightbourne as centre-forward Darrell waited patiently in the middle unmarked.

Sharrieff gave Southampton another scare after 32 minutes when Lewis put him through the middle only to see Sharrieff send a firm shot straight at goalkeeper Darren Burchall.

With Southampton struggling, the inevitable Town goal came just before half-time. Douglas advanced to take advantage of a defensive mishap and send a through ball that Sharrieff latched on to score from 12 yards.

In the second half Southampton had little to match their better drilled opponents who quickly took the initiative.

After 48 minutes Russell headed home a Anthony Wilson cross to make it 2-0, and seven minutes later Simons made it 3-0 after Sharrieff provided him with the cross.

A minute after the third goal Sharrieff saw his effort from 13 yards sail inches over the bar after the defence had allowed him to slip through unmarked.

Olin Jones sent a crisp shot at goalkeeper Lightbourne from an angle on the right during a rare raid by Southampton after 62 minutes, then substitute Alfred Wolfe followed this up by putting a shot right at the goalkeeper when he slipped through the defence on a breakaway after 69 minutes.

But Dandy Town were not finished rattling their opponents defence. After 72 minutes Sharrieff and Russell combined with the former scoring from close range and six minutes later Mike Wells hammered the ball home from 13 yards following a corner.

Three minutes from time Southampton were rewarded for their determination when Darrell whipped the ball home during a goalmouth scramble.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne; W.Rudo, D.Sharrieff, P.Douglas, A.Wilson; L.Furbert, A.Russell, K.Martin; T.Lewis (N.Smith, 76 mins), D.Simons (M.Wells, 73 mins), K.Sharrieff (N.Webb, 73 mins).

Southampton: D.Burchall; J.Stevens, R.Simmons, J.Burgess, J.Raynor; O.Jones, K.Tucker, C.Simmons (O.Hart, 87 mins); R.Simons (M.Higgs, 58 mins), T.Darrell (A.Wolfe, 68 mins), C.Darrell.

Referee: Chris Terry Men of the match: Ascento Russell (Dandy Town); Craig Darrell (Rangers) SCORER -- Dandy Town's Khari Sharrieff (centre) is surrounded by team-mates after scoring the second of his two goals against Southampton Rangers yesterday.