Ireland Rangers saw their chances of claiming automatic promotion from the First Division all but disappear when they were held to a draw by visiting St.

David's at Malabar yesterday.

With league leaders St. George's recording a 2-1 victory at home to Boulevard, it was imperative that Rangers likewise earned maximum points in order to keep pace and be in position to take advantage of any possible slip by the east enders down the stretch.

However, a spirited effort by the Islanders put paid to notions of an easy win, as it was Rangers who had to fight from behind just to earn a share of the spoils and at least remain on track for the lone promotional play-off spot.

As it now stands, St. George's can wrap up the division with a win next week over Boulevard, combined with a draw or loss by Rangers.

Rangers made most of the early running yesterday and came agonisingly close to going a goal up after just six minutes, denied only by the cat-like reflexes of rival goalkeeper George O'Brien.

A left-sided move saw Sean Symons float a cross to the far post where it was met with a firm header by Jermaine Saltus that had goal written all over, but was blocked at the last second. The rebound fell perfectly for top scorer Jonathan Bean, but his half-volley was spectacularly tipped over the crossbar by O'Brien.

At the other end, Ricky Tucker almost paid the price for straying off his line when a long clearance bounced over his head as he embarked on a furious backpedal, but, to his relief, the ball also cleared the bar.

The goal that appeared imminent finally came in the 23rd minute, perseverance by Henry Santucci paying off as he battled to gain possession deep in opposition territory and was able to create a shooting lane to beat O'Brien with a low drive.

Immediately St. David's should have drawn level as Chris Foggo found himself alone with only Tucker to beat, but managed a weak effort that trickled into the arms of the 'keeper.

They would do much better in the 30th minute when Kevin Lambe netted one of the better goals of the season, a 25-yard tracer that left Tucker flailing at air as it stretched the net.

Rangers setback From Page 25 A minute later St. David's went ahead in textbook fashion with Lambe this time in the role of provider, pulling the defence left before crossing to the far post where big Angelo Cannonier had the simple task of nodding past a hopelessly exposed Tucker.

The second half saw the home side go out in desperate search of a score, and after a lengthy period of dominance the goal finally came with the close ball skills of Bean drawing a penalty from referee Joe Pimental.

Duane DeRosa expertly put the ball away to O'Brien's left, making the final score 2-2.

Som Eagles 8 Social Club 4 There may not have been a Larry, Curly or Moe, but what went on at White Hill Field yesterday between Somerset Eagles and Social Club certainly had all the zany, comedic trappings of television's Three Stooges.

Social Club became the target for satire right from the start, showing up two players short and having to recruit last minute replacements. One of those was 50-year-old Wayne Gilbert, who took up a spot between the sticks where he allowed three quick strikes to pass inside of 20 minutes before being mercifully forced out through an ankle injury and replaced by Shervin Jennings.

Jennings didn't fare much better, allowing a further five goals as Eagles ran riot.

Also forced into `action' was coach Fred Lewis, a former Bermuda international. However, at close to 50 himself, he was certainly never going to provide the tonic for victory.

Indeed, Eagles made the visitors pay the price for such obvious failings, with Rodre Wilson scorching a hat-trick, Darren Dowling scoring twice, while Stephen Burrows, Marco Butterfield and Adolphus Lambert each found the target once.

The carnage rendered by the home side overshadowed a three-goal performance by Tokia Russell, with Eric Dunkley adding another in consolation.

With the three points earned, Eagles moved into third place behind St.

George's and Ireland Rangers and kept them in with a shot at the promotional play-off spot, their 21 points placing them four behind Rangers.

St. George's 2 Boulevard 1 St. George's earned at least a First Division play-off spot with this slim victory over a spirited, young Boulevard side at Wellington Oval.

The east enders scored in each half through player-coach Neil Paynter and substitute Sinclair Gibbons while Boulevard responded with a goal from hard-working forward Lashun Dill 10 minutes from the end.

Paynter gave the home side a deserved lead after just seven minutes when he thundered home a 25-yarder after a deflected shot rolled at his feet which he masterfully controlled before firing at goal.

However, it wasn't a sign of things to come as Boulevard, showing no signs of a team hovering near the lower half of the table, fought back bravely and were unlucky not to finish the half even.

While skipper Marlon Outerbridge came close for St. George's by putting a 16-yarder just wide of the post, Boulevard had more scoring opportunities and suffered when Dill put an easy chance wide from close range five minutes before the interval.

St. George's played with more purpose when play restarted but they didn't take a decisive edge until Boulevard were reduced to 60 minutes after Vance Hick, a prominent young forward, was sent off by referee Gregory Simons for throwing the ball at a defender.

Eight minutes later Ernest Signor and Sinclair Gibbons combined with the latter stroking the ball home from 14 yards to give St. George's a 2-0 lead.

Despite being down one man, Boulevard remained competitive and looked dangerous on counter attacks that were mostly spearheaded by the lanky Dill.

It was fitting that it was the same player who found the mark for Boulevard after 80 minutes, putting the ball home after gaining possession when a deflection from a U-Roy Fox blast rolled his way.

Ham Parish 2 Prospect 2 After falling behind to two early goals by Donovan Thompson and Forrest Evans, Prospect rallied on goals by Phillip Bailey and Leonard Davies to grab a point from Parish at Lord's.

The match-up between two struggling teams saw both attempt to produce some good soccer.

Parish quickly grabbed the initiative by going ahead 2-0 on goals by Thompson after four minutes and Evans a minute later, but Prospect slowly came back into the game.

Bailey reduced the lead by one goal when he scored Prospect's first after 16 minutes and Davies came through with the strike that clinched a point after 63 minutes.