If it's possible for the third game of the season to be critical, yesterday's First Divison clash at Southampton Oval was just that.

In a bizarre game that may ultimately turn their season around, Dandy Town, with only nine men, scored two second-half goals to record their first win after two frustrating losses.

But for Rangers, the loss could be devastating. Coach John Tucker faces a tough week instilling confidence in a team that have now lost all three games this season and, worse, were outplayed by opponents who were down to nine men and a back-up goalkeeper.

Afterwards, Dandy Town coach Mark Trott could barely be heard above the shouts coming from his team's dressing room.

"Today, the players showed character,'' he said. "They deserve all the glory. They stuck to the game plan, they talked to one another and when a little bit of adversity came, they really fed off each other and got results.'' That was not the case in a sloppy first half, when both teams performed a medley of bad passes and indifferent finishing. Rangers did most of the running and got what appeared to be the first big break in the 35th minute, when Town goalkeeeper Antoine Lightbourne received a red card for his harsh tackle on Herbie Dillas.

And they got another five minutes into the second half when Town's Paul Cann picked up his second yellow card for slapping the ball away from his opponent during a throw-in.

Down two men, Town then got serious.

"The players decided today they were not going to lose no matter what,'' said Trott.

Barely two minutes after Cann's departure, skipper Devarr Boyles -- left alone ten yards from goal -- headed in a free kick that caught Rangers napping. In the ten minutes that followed, Boyles drilled a shot off the post on a breakaway and rolled another just wide.

Town converted again, thanks to Dano Outerbridge, who scored during a scramble caused when Rangers 'keeper Randy Darrell -- temporarily blinded by the sun -- feebly punched away Kris Martin's corner kick.

The only Rangers goal came in injury time, when Rohaan Simons took a fine pass inside, darted around a defender and drew substitute 'keeper Cyaminde Davis out before sliding a shot in the far corner.

Rangers: R.Darrell, S.Simmons, N.Grant, R.Belboda, O.Riley, S.Ming, E.Pitt, J.Raynor, K.Tucker, R.Simons, H.Dillas.

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne, T.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, D.Bailey, L.Furbert, C.Wilkinson (C.Davis, 35 mins), D.Boyles, K.Marin, P.Cann, S.Tuzo (C.Smith, 59 mins), D.Simons (D.Ming, 59 mins).

Referee: Richard Knights Men of the match: Shawn Simmons (Rangers); Devarr Boyles (Dandy Town)