The boys from St. David's collected their first point of the season yesterday when they managed to hold the visiting Southampton Rangers to a scoreless draw.

While the Rangers came looking like all they wanted was a draw, home side St.

David's played with a determination that should have gotten them two points on the day.

But for a brief spell early in the second half when the visitors controlled the pace of the match, and in fact were awarded a penalty kick that was missed, the home team forced the Rangers to defend in numbers for protracted periods but could not find the elusive goal that would have given them the win.

Striking for St. David's in the first half was the ever-dangerous James Pace, who, of all the players on the field, was never hesitant to shoot when even half a chance was created.

Early in the match, he connected with a quickly-taken volley that sailed only inches high of Rangers' crossbar. Only minutes later he had a well-taken header just wide of the upright with goalkeeper Randy Darrell out of position.

For the Rangers, Kenny Burt was their main strike threat, but unfortunately he never materialised as one.

With little support when the ball was fed to him he never once threatened the St. David's goal and in fact had only one weak shot on target late in the match that did little to test Dale Fox in the home team's goal.

The best chance for the Rangers in the first half came off the head of Lamar Seymour whose goal-bound header was punched away by the diving Fox.

St. David's were able to penetrate the Rangers defence with some fine midfield play from Maxwell Dill and Chuck Waldron who continually ran off the ball well to create openings.

One such play late in the half won them a corner kick that almost brought them a goal. Waldron flighted a perfect kick right into the danger area only to see it rebound off the crossbar with Darrell extended.

The opening minutes of the second half saw the Rangers play with noticeably more intensity. Playing as a more cohesive unit, they dominated play for the first 15 minutes of the half.

Early in the half, substitute Michael Higgs latched onto a through-ball from Olin Jones and had a clear run at goal with only the 'keeper to beat. He was pulled down by Fox well inside the penalty area and referee Esten Curtis had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The kick, though, brought a disappointing effort from Rangers' captain Donnie Charles, who side-footed the ball three feet wide of goal.

This close call brought new life to the Islanders and they came charging back.

Anthony Darrell ran a full 30 yards and finished the play with a superb rising shot that forced Darrell to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Lionel Cann was next with a vicious shot that rammed into the side-netting. In the dying minutes of the match, Jerry Laws had a chance to win it for St.

David's when he ran onto a piercing through-ball from Dill.

But Pernell Brangman saved the day with a fine last-ditch tackle.

St. David's: D.Fox, C.Swainson, M.Kelly, O.Minors (J.Laws, 76 mins), M.Dill, S.Pitcher, E.Crockwell, C.Waldron, A.Darrell, J.Pace (K.Gibbons, 50 mins), L.Cann.

Southampton: R.Darrell, J.Rayner, J.Burgess, O.Hart (M.Higgs, 52 mins), L.Seymour, O.Jones, P.Brangman, R.Belboda, D.Charles, K.Burt, T.Jones.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Anthony Darrell (St.David's); Lamar Seymour (Southampton).