Boulevard moved a step closer to First Division survival as struggling Southampton Rangers slipped into the bottom three with yet another loss at St.

David's yesterday.

Boulevard, in the bottom two themselves at the start of February, gained their fourth win in their last five outings when Vernon Phillips' goal on the stroke of half-time stood as the winner. Now the Blazers can make certain of survival by beating Devonshire Cougars in their next outing.

Boulevard climbed above Rangers in the standings while Rangers are now just four points ahead of Devonshire Cougars with three matches remaining.

From the outset Boulevard played with more purpose and had the better of the early chances as Rangers' defence looked uncertain. Boulevard should have had the lead after just four minutes when a through ball by Dwight Warren sent Phillips into the box.

But instead of shooting first time he tried to run the ball in closer and only succeeded in passing it to a relieved Randy Darrell in the Rangers goal.

Rangers were playing like a team short on confidence, having failed to win in the league in three months, and Boulevard were anxious to take advantage.

Shakai Crockwell put a free header just over the bar from a corner on the right by Vernon Eve before Otis Minors missed a couple of good chances as Boulevard kept on the pressure.

Boulevard, always the more likely to score, finally did so in the last minute of the half when Phillips took advantage of some slack defending to power his way through and blasting a shot into the roof of the net.

And even though Boulevard, missing the suspended Leroy Stevens, came out in the second half without Dwight Warren -- limping with a foot injury -- Rangers still failed to threaten their lead. In fact, they almost conceded a second goal early in the second half when Vernon Eve's long range shot was turned away for a corner by Darrell.

In a rare chance for Rangers, substitute Jermaine Dill poked a low shot just inches wide of the far post. Then Nashon Smith miskicked on the edge of the six-yard box as he swung wildly at a short cross. This was Rangers' best period of the match but they left it a little too late as the Boulevard defence, which included the returning Kenneth Darrell and Albert Caisey, stood firm.

Boulevard: M.Steede; R.Wilson, K.Darrell, M.Trott, A.Caisey; V.Eve, J.Warren, O.Minors, S.Crockwell, D.Warren (T.Caisey 46 mins), V.Phillips (C.Caisey 75 mins).

Southampton: R.Darrell; N.Grant, P.Brangman, R.Belboda, D.Vickers, C.Darrell (O.Riley 53 mins), D.Charles, J.Raynor, D.Tucker (J.Dill 63 mins), J.Tucker, S.Ming (N.Smith 82 mins).

Referee: Anthony Mouchette Men of the match: Jamel Warren (Boulevard), Jason Raynor (Rangers).