The sign of a good team is when they play poorly but still win. That adage could certainly be applied to North Village who did their best to throw away victory at the Oval yesterday.

Needing all three points to keep themselves in the title hunt with the top two of Dandy Town and Devonshire Colts playing each other, Village made hard work of seeing off their already relegated opponents.

Dwight Warren put the Red Devils in front after nine minutes but Kamen Tucker levelled three minutes later.

It was 2-1 after 57 minutes when substitute Damon Wade volleyed home spectacularly from the edge of the box.

But Tucker pegged Village back again in the 74th after a poor clearance fell to him on the edge of the box.

A minute later Jamaul Boyles put Village ahead once more and Michael Hansey ensured victory four minutes from time.

With their minds focused probably as much on the game at White Hill as their own clash, Village never really found top gear. And even though referee Stuart Crockwell sent Southampton coach Edgar Smith from the bench for remarks deemed offensive, they were never able to capitalise. When Village should have looked to add to Warren's excellent opening strike they allowed the men in blue back in.

Kentoine Jennings' weak back header bred indecision in 'keeper Zane Hendrickson's mind and he allowed Tucker to steal in and sidefoot home.

Such was coach Scott Morton's dissatisfaction with his side at half-time he pulled off both Tarik Jennings and Randy Spence and replaced them with Sergio Goater and Wade. The change reaped almost instant dividends when Wade's volley beat keeper Jason Williams.

Rangers threw on 16-year-old Reggie Lowe. And within minutes they were on level terms when Tucker calmly lobbed Hendrickson from the edge of the area.

Boyles was in the right place at the right time 60 seconds later, sidefooting home from three yards. Then Hansey gave the final score its flattering appearance when he beat Williams from 25 yards at the second attempt.

Coach Morton said Dandy Town's result meant fate was now out of his side's hands, but said he still retained hope.

"Anything can happen. But Dandy Town have Rangers next week and the way Rangers are playing they are not really coming out to win,'' he said. "They are coming out and giving their young players a taste of what Premiership football is all about.'' S.Rangers: J.Williams; P.Brangman; S.Simmons; W.Raynor; R.Rhones; O.Hart; J.Raynor; C.Simons (T.Brown, 83 mins); T.Smith (R.Lowe, 61 mins); K.Tucker; D.Lowe (D.Burchall, 71 mins).

N.Village: Z.Hendrickson; J.Thomas; K.Binns; D.Thomas (K.Dill, 75); Kentoine Jennings; J.Boyles; T.Jennings (S.Goater, 46 mins); M.Hansey; Kevin Jennings; D.Warren; R.Spence (D.Wade, 46 mins).

Men of the match: K.Tucker (Rangers); D.Wade (Village).

Scott Morton: Still hopeful.