Somerset hammered the final nail in Rangers' coffin, confirming relegation to the First Division for Southampton, while ensuring their own survival among the ranks of the Premiership.

In a match billed as "The Funeral at Southampton Oval'' it was Somerset defender Richard Scott who took on the role of undertaker, his 55th minute laser strike heaping dirt on the home side.

"It's been a rough season where we've had to endure a lot of difficult losses, but we were able to overcome,'' said a relieved Somerset skipper Karl Roberts moments after the final whistle. "The guys are happy to remain a part of the Premier Division.'' Prior to taking the pitch Southampton coach Earl Basden stressed to his troops the importance of the next 90 minutes and the need to play positive football and indeed there was a definite urgency in their manner for most of the opening stanza.

They were aided by the visitors' use of a defensive-orientated 4-4-2 formation which, while aimed at preventing goals, seemed to place added pressure on their own defence.

And it almost cost them dearly in the sixth minute, as a long clearance by Rangers caused confusion among the Trojans' back four, with the ball falling nicely for Ascento Russell, however, his goal-bound effort found the safe hands of goalkeeper Leslie Trew.

Both teams played with keen enthusiasm and haste during the opening 10 minutes, as a raucous crowd hung on any semblance of attack. For Somerset this meant Nasir Wade, who was visible in near every forward move, while Rangers' Ascento Russell, flown home from school specifically for the match, proved value for dollar as he roamed all over the pitch wreaking havoc.

Somerset lost a key midfield cog as well as bench support in the 29th minute when Andrew Rahman had to be stretchered off with an ankle injury, while trainer Norbert Simons was sent packing by referee Richard Knight for protesting a bit too vigorously on the sidelines.

The best chance of the half came in the 34th minute as a perfect through-ball by Kwame Tucker found Nashon Smith streaking behind the Somerset defence, but Trew produced a brave sliding save to deny the fleet-footed striker.

Moments after the break it was Smith again causing concern, this time getting on the end of a Janeiro Tucker feed, but again finding Trew in the way. The 'keeper was able to partially block Smith's effort before David Rahman averted the danger with a desperate clearance.

Rangers would rue this miss as Scott stepped front and centre, taking a short corner from Aaron Williams and sent in a low drive from 20 yards that took a deflection and ricocheted in at the near post.

At the end, while Somerset were left to celebrate their survival, Rangers could only envision a year of one o'clock football and what might have been.

"It just wasn't our lucky day,'' lamented Basden afterwards, whose side joined St. David's and Boulevard in taking the plunge. "We were able to get the ball in the last third but once there it just wouldn't bounce our way.

"I felt we dominated, but you can create as many chances as you like, you still have to put the ball away.

"We had talked about the issue of relegation, that if we go down it is only us that put us there. I, as coach, accept full responsibility and put it on my shoulders.'' At the other end Somerset head man Gary Mallory was succinct in his summation, saying: "We came to play today.'' Still, concerns were raised during a season that produced little to shout about and Mallory intimated that certain areas would be addressed in the off-season.

"We (coaching staff) have to sit down and talk to management and see what we want to do and go from there.

"There is a need to solidify things over the summer because it's time Somerset got out of this mould.'' Southampton: R.Darrell; R.Belboda, P.Brangman, A.Tucker, S.Simmons; J.Raynor, S.Ming (T.Flood 78 mins), A.Russell; K.Tucker (O.Riley 65 mins), N.Smith (D.Tucker 64 mins), J.Tucker.

Somerset: L.Trew; R.Scott, K.Roberts, G.Butterfield, A.Bean (R.Bascome 73 mins); A.Rahman (A.Williams 29 mins), D.Rahman, Nadir Wade (D.Burchall 45 mins), Nasir Wade, T. Mallory, O.Shakir.

Referee: Richard Knight Yellow Cards: Kwame Tucker (Southampton), Leslie Trew (Somerset) Red card: Norbert Simons (Somerset)