Southampton Rangers 0Dandy Town 1Dandy Town midfielder Damon Ming hailed his side’s defensive performance yesterday as they beat Southampton Rangers at St John’s Field to move up the standings.Jamel Swan’s goal in the 12th minute settled matters in less than ideal conditions.“It was a rough game out there with the weather but it was pleasing to get another clean sheet and that is always important in matches like this,” said Ming. “We battled but made it hard for ourselves in not putting away our chances. But a win is a win so we are happy.”In blustery conditions at St John’s Field, both sides produced end to end football using the wet pitch to string together some good moves.The hosts were into their stride right from the opening whistle as Swan, who has come on in leaps and bounds in the past two seasons, commanded the midfield with partner Shaun Brown.The pair weaved their way through the opening 15 minutes, moving the ball quickly to keep the flow of their attacks, although McQuinn Burch and Ezekiel Stoneham worked had for the visitors to keep the match delicately poised.Swan got the all-important breakthrough as he finished off a good move, the youngster putting the finishing touch just inside the area.Rangers should have been level just before the break but striker Adrian Burrows put his effort high and wide from 12 yards out with the goal at his mercy.It was his strike partner Dennis Russell’s turn to make a hash of a gilt edged chance midway through the second half when he turned and swivelled on the penalty spot, but lashed his shot well wide of Treadwell Gibbons’ goal.Town substitute Saki Tuzo almost wrapped up the points in the 83rd after he beat two defenders on the by-line, but his angle on goal was too tight as he rushed towards the near post.His cheeky shot just missed the near post although he could have squared to a host of team-mates who were waiting with willing arms to score the second.In the end, however, it didn’t matter as Town hung on to keep three precious points.The clean sheet is Gibbons and company’s third successive and moves the side up the table to third, level on points with North Village and PHC.“Three clean sheets in a row means that we are making an effort to stop the other team from scoring but more importantly it means that we are defending as a unit and I tip my hat to my defence who have played well the whole season thus far,” said Ming.“It is never easy winning games but when your defence doesn’t allow goals then it always gives you a chance to win any match.”Southampton Rangers: S Perinchief, I Mallory, J Caisey (K Symonds, 73), M Williams, A Russell, K Simmons, M Burch, V Perinchief (Y Bean, 73), E Stoneham, A Burrows (K Jones, 71), D RussellSubs not used: T FordDandy Town: T Gibbons, G Dyer, K Lathan, F Frankson (S Tuzo, 79), B Minors, J Swan, S Brown, A Rocker, H Wolfe (P Richardson, 52), R Beach, D MingSubs not used: D Outerbridge, A Zuill, T DanielsYellow: F FranksonGoal: Swan, 12Referee: A MouchetteMan of the Match: J Swan