A hat-trick by striker Janeiro Tucker and one goal apiece from Sheridan Ming and Craig Darrell kept Southampton's hopes of survival alive -- at least until the last round of the Premier Division.

In that final match Rangers must beat Somerset Trojans who themselves need at least a draw to survive the drop.

At Lord's yesterday, Southampton struck twice in the first half after a slow start and added three more goals in the second to convincingly beat their already-relegated opponents.

However, St.David's entered the game on a high after coming off a 3-2 victory over the Trojans the previous week -- and the Islanders made it tough for the visitors for the first 20 minutes.

St.David's enjoyed territorial advantage with their early supremacy, but they were out of touch in front of goal as good approach work often broke down as they entered the penalty area.

Left winger Worrell Bean was particularly effective using his speed down the flank but he got little support.

Their best chance came after 19 minutes when left back Aaron Lugo hammered a stinging 20-yard shot inches over the bar.

Shortly afterwards Rangers found their touch and were denied the go-ahead goal when Janeiro Tucker smartly headed a Craig Darrell corner which goalkeeper Sidney Minors brilliantly saved by diving to his left.

Pushing powerfully forward, Rangers came close again four minutes later when Darrell's shot from 14 yards was blocked by Minors and the rebound fell to the feet of Tucker who this time had his point-blank shot blocked by the goalkeeper.

Rangers hopes still alive From Page 27 Then college student Rohaan Simons got into the act, forcing Minors to push his angled shot wide.

A minute later Rangers finally got the goal they had threatened. It came when left full back Shawn Simons crossed and Ming rose to head home from 13 yards.

The second goal followed on 34 minutes when Janeiro Tucker was fouled by goalkeeper Minors as he chased a bouncing ball down the middle. Craig Darrell hammered home the resulting penalty.

Rohaan Simons came more into the game after the break. But it was Tucker who made it 3-0 when he latched onto a long ball from midfielder Eugene Pitt and raced down the middle to beat goalkeeper Minors. Then after 63 minutes Simons sensationally breezed by two defenders down the left flank and crossed for Tucker to head home his second from close range.

St. David's appeared to throw in the towel as Simons, Darrell and Kwame Tucker all came close before Janeiro Tucker netted the fifth, teaming up with Simons after the latter had taken a corner.

St. David's: S.Minors; O.Pitcher, S.Pitcher, S.Weeks, A.Lugo; O.Minors, K.Bean (M.Jones, 58 mins), K.Lambe (A.Burchall, 60 mins); L.Cann, C.Simmons, W.Bean.

Southampton: R.Darrell; A.Tucker (N.Grant, 54 min), P.Brangman, R.Belboda, S.Simmons; E.Pitt (O.Riley, 82 mins), S.Ming, K.Tucker; C.Darrell (N.Smith, 62 mins), J.Tucker, R.Simons.

Referee: Richard Knight.

Men of the match: Worrell Bean (St. David's); Janeiro Tucker (Rangers).

Yellow cards: O.Minors, C.Simmons, A.Lugo (St. David's); R.Simons, S.Ming (Rangers).