Top scorer Rohaan Simons will have to wait another couple of weeks for his 20th goal of the season, but Somerset's fight for First Division survival will go on even longer after yesterday's heavy defeat at Southampton Oval.

The 20-year-old should have reached the milestone with his third goal of the game in the closing minutes when he was brought down by goalkeeper Winslow Williams to earn Rangers their second penalty of the match.

But when Simons tried to place his second spot kick to Williams' right, the 'keeper was quick in that direction to make a save.

Even so, the match was long over as a contest by that stage as Rangers had already pocketed the three points that assures them of survival. It was from their first penalty in the 14th minute that Somerset's problems began.

In the space of 11 minutes after that it all went wrong for the visitors who also had an unhappy time on their last visit to this ground last month when nine-man Hotels snatched a late equaliser.

Yesterday they went 3-0 down by the 25th minute and also had coach Randy Horton sent off the bench for some comments he made to referee Richard Knight.

The opening goal came when Michael Scott got into the box on the right side and went crashing after a challenge from full back Andrew Rahman. The Trojans captain protested the penalty decision with support from his goalkeeper but Knight stood firm and Simons casually placed his spot kick low to Williams' right.

Horton was shown the red card three minutes later for comments he made to the official about his handling as tension mounted.

Simons had a shot blocked by Williams after breaking through a leaky Trojans defence, but in the 22nd minute he made no mistake with his 19th goal of the season.

A Trojans move broke down and Rangers countered through Kwame Tucker on the right side. And though the Somerset defence quickly shut him down the ball broke free inside the box to Simons who placed a low shot past Williams.

The third went in in the 25th minute when Craig Darrell's inswinging corner to the near post was punched into goal by Williams as he tried to fist it clear.

Somerset's best opportunity in the half came just before the break when Michael Brangman's header hit the crossbar.

The task of pulling back three goals was too much for a team that came into the match averaging just a goal a game.

Somerset found themselves even further behind in the 49th minute when Simons got through on the left and squared the ball back into the box for Kwame Tucher to blast home the fourth from close range.

It was evident it was not going to be Somerset's day when Brangman missed a sitter from six yards with just 'keeper Randy Darrell to beat. Soon after he was replaced but things did not get any better as Darrell had a relatively easy day in goal.

Rangers finished the game with 10 men when Simons was taken off on a stretcher after colliding with Williams going for a through ball into the box. But the injury wasn't serious and he was soon back on his feet.

Southampton: R.Darrell; J.Raynor, R.Belboda (A.Tucker 72 mins), P.Brangman, N.Grant, C.Simmons, S.Ming, R.Simons, M.Scott (D.Tucker 70 mins), C.Darrell, K.Tucker (G.Williams 70 mins) Somerset: W.Williams; R.Scott (M.Butterfield 59 mins), D.Woolridge, S.Simmons, A.Rahman, A.Burchall, K.Roberts, S.Riley, J.Scott, M.Brangman (D.Binns 59 mins), M.Nisbett (R.Wilson 46 mins).

Referee: Richard Knight.

Men of the match: Rohaan Simons (Southampton), Karl Roberts (Somerset).