Southampton Rangers moved from third to second in the First Division thanks to a superb second-half performance by Janeiro Tucker at White Hill yesterday.

Better known for his prowess in midfield, Tucker's switch to striker this season continues to provide the team with big dividends.

For the second straight week Tucker rallied the team with a two-goal burst, having netted twice last week in their 3-1 triumph over Dandy Town. He resurrected Rangers after a sluggish first half that ended scoreless by scoring two opportunist goals, the first coming after 61 minutes and the second after 63 minutes to take his tally for the season to six.

Then Tucker provided the cross for substitute Alfred Wolffe to add a third in injury time.

While Southampton fans are happy with their position in the tables it's clear that they are still far from being a championship unit.

A team with championship aspirations would have dished out heavy punishment against a sluggish Eagles unit in the first half. Southampton pinned their opponents down for long spells but were unable to capitalise after taking the upper hand.

Tucker saw his shot roll inches wide of the post with goalkeeper Cordell Gilbert out of goal after just 20 seconds with Eagles already looking shaky in defence.

But that sort of frustration continued to haunt Rangers mainly because even Tucker as well as Jason Raynor and Kwame Tucker were guilty of glaring misses.

Both teams had scoring chances before Tucker broke the deadlock.

After 52 minutes Kwame Tucker was just wide on a breakaway while Bray Saltus reacted slowly to a cross from Riley and allowed Burchall to advance and make a clearance. Then Janeiro Tucker headed a Ryan Belboda corner inches over while Eagles retaliated with striker Eddie Callender powering a 15-yarder at `keeper Burchall after 60 minutes.

However, the Eagles were soon brought down to earth when Tucker netted his first from an angle on the left after the defence gave up the chase thinking he was offside.

Two minutes later Tucker came up with a beautiful effort, this time sending home a scorcher from an even sharper angle on the left.

Another Tucker header from a Belboda cross was tipped over by Gilbert and Kelly Simmons fired a 16-yarder over, but there was no denying Southampton a third goal when Tucker provided the opening for Wolffe to shoot home from close range right at the end.

Eagles: C.Gilbert; F.Smith, T.Smith, J.Richards, D.Durrant; W.Wellman, C.Williams, O.Riley; B.Saltus (K.Isaac, 75 mins), E.Callender, R.Hill (R.Wilson, 45 mins).

Southampton: D.Burchall; R.Belboda, L.Simmons, P.Brangman, E.Pitt; R.Simmons, K.Simmons, O.Jones; K.Tucker (A.Wolffe, 63 mins), J.Tucker, J.Raynor (L.Seymour, 75 mins).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell Men of the match: Oscar Riley (Eagles); Janeiro Tucker (Southampton)