Southampton Rangers striker Alfred Wolffe missed a golden opportunity in the dying minutes of the match to help his side snatch two vital points from Vasco da Gama at PHC stadium yesterday.

As the players filed off the pitch Wolffe sat on the ground with his head in his hands knowing that he had bungled an absolute gift.

Had he made it, that goal would have raised the standard of a game that was mediocre at best, and brought Rangers within a point of PHC who lost 2-0 to Dandy Town.

Rangers mid-fielder Olin Jones kicked a well-flighted pass from the right flank into Vasco's six-yard box. Wolffe, who was diving in at the far post, failed to connect with the pass and ended up in the back of the net while the ball was cleared.

That was the nearest either team game to scoring, though Vasco dominated the game for most of the first half. Both teams contested the second half evenly.

Two Vasco players were cautioned for rough tackling early in the first half, as both teams tried to get their attacking sequences together. Vasco mid-fielder Gary Ray sent his 25-yard shot over the crossbar after receiving the ball from Irving Burgess, who also misfired after Larance Durham's corner was partially cleared by a Rangers defender.

Vasco defender Paul Townson's header went just wide of the near post after Darrell failed to collect an Earl Richardson cross.

In the second half, Rangers seemed more organised in their attacks but they lacked finishing power. On three occasions good crosses from winger Ascento Russell reached the penalty area but there were no Rangers players waiting.

Vasco assistant coach Eddie Correia said he was happy with the result especially since the FA Cup games, injuries and suspensions were taking a toll on the team.

Still, Correia said he thought Vasco's chances of avoiding the drop were good.

Matters did not seem as simple for Rangers coach Garry Darrell however, though he expressed optimism about his team avoiding relegation.

"I think the game could have gone either way,'' he said afterwards. "We are both in a similar position trying to avoid getting relegated. I would say a draw is a fair result since they had as much of the play as we did. We have a good chance of avoiding the drop, if we can keep picking up points by winning one or two games, provided we don't lose.'' Vasco: K.Tucker; E.Richardson, D.Livingstone, P.Towlson, K.Roberts (M.Tankard, 66 mins), L.Durham, I.Burgess, C.Lloyd, C.Ainscough, G.Ray, A.Cabral.

Southampton Rangers: R.Darrell, R.Belboda, E.Brangman, J.Burgess, D.Charles, P.Brangman, O.Jones, G.Steede (J.Raynor 57 mins), A.Wolfe, A.Russell (R.Nesbitt 86 mins), E.Pitt.

Referee: Frank Drayton.

Men of the match: Erskine Brangman (Southampton Rangers), Irving Burgess (Vasco).