It might not have been pretty to watch but, as they say in soccer, two points is two points. And if they come away from home, all the sweeter.

North Village `earned' their second one-nil victory over Rangers in five days thanks to a 63rd-minute strike by midfielder Rahji Edness in the swirling wind at Southampton Oval.

Edness stabbed home a first-time shot from 15 yards following a pinpoint pass from the left by Elliott Jennings, who had beaten a man with his trickery to get to the by-line.

The win consolidated North Village's second-place spot but, if they are to make a serious attempt at the First Division title, they must sharpen up their finishing.

Their worst miss came in the 22nd minute when Jennings beat the offside trap, controlled a long, lofted pass from midfield and steadied himself to shoot.

But he blasted his shot high over the bar from just 12 yards with only Rangers goalkeeper Randy Darrell to beat.

And when Village's forward line of Philip Clarke, Jennings and Maceo Dill did get a shot on target, Darrell was in fine form to sort out any danger.

The Red Devils may have paid for their lack of incisiveness in front of goal against a team more talented than lowly Southampton. But Rangers also squandered what scraps came their way.

Despite having little possession throughout the match, Rangers should have taken the lead five minutes into the second half.

Striker Kenny Burt ended an exciting run on the left by playing a low pass across the face of the goalmouth into the path of midfielder Jason Raynor, who was unmarked in the middle of the area just 15 yards from goal.

But, with the goal beckoning, Raynor hopelessly miscued and sent a weak effort bobbling along the ground, several yards wide of the target. Raynor knew he had wasted one of the best chances of the match and buried his head in his hands.

Jennings, Clarke and Dill all had their chances but found it difficult to find a way through the Rangers defence, which had previously conceded just nine goals all season, a surprisingly low number considering their position second from bottom of the league.

Jennings' best chance came in the opening seconds of the second half when he was put through with only the goalkeeper to beat but his shot dribbled past the left post.

Rangers only really got into this match after falling behind and actually managed to dominate the last 15 minutes.

Their best chance during this spell of pressure came three minutes from time when defender Donnie Charles connected with a corner but he headed wide when well placed.

Southampton: R.Darrell; T.Jones, D.Charles, P.Brangman, G.Steede (J.Stephens, 55 mins); J.Seymour, J.Burgess, J.Raynor; K.Burt, S.Simons, E.Pitt (B.Harris, 76 mins).

North Village: C.Crockwell; A.Simons, D.Bell, I.Romaine, K.Simons; R.Edness, K.Jennings, E.Simmons (K.Jennings, 60 mins); P.Clarke, E.Jennings, M.Dill (S.Dill, 80 mins).

Referee: Cal Simons.

Men of the match: Randy Darrell (Southampton); Rahji Edness (North Village).