North Village's title hopes were given a huge lift with this victory at Bernard Park yesterday.

And it wasn't all bad news for opponents Southampton Rangers, who are hanging onto their Premier Division lives by the skin of their teeth.. .thanks to bottom team St. David's who pulled off their first victory at Somerset yesterday.

Realistically, Rangers look doomed after suffering their 10th loss of the season. But the 3-2 win for St. David's means that mathematically Rangers can still avoid the drop by goal difference over Somerset. Presently the Trojans are seven goals superior.

Village's win kept the championship race open as, combined with PHC's draw, the Red Devils now trail the leaders by just two points with two matches to play.

Rangers had an encouraging start as they were holding their own for the first half hour. But in the space of four minutes their hopes were dashed by two Neil (Diamond) Robinson headers and the sending off of Jason Raynor to leave them a man short.

Even though Village failed to add to their score for the rest of the game, they were never threatened by Rangers who battled in vain to pull at least a goal back.

Now while Rangers face a third relegation in eight seasons, Village have an excellent opportunity to land their first league title in 21 years.

Their final two matches are against defending champions Vasco, now effectively out of the running, and Boulevard on the final day of the season, while PHC still have to play Somerset and Wolves.

This fast-paced game finally produced a goal in the 31st minute when the ball was knocked around inside the Rangers box before being blocked on the goal-line. But that clearance went straight up in the air and when it dropped Robinson nodded it over the line from under the bar.

A minute later Robinson netted a second goal, again with his head, when he finished off a good move down the left flank by meeting Kevin Jennings' perfect cross and steering a shot home at the far post.

Village step up title chase From Page 13 The goals broke the spirit of Rangers and that was evident in the 35th minute when Jason Raynor put in a lunging tackle on Omar Ray -- apparently with no intention of playing the ball -- which floored the teenager. Referee Irven Simmons had no hesitation in producing the red card.

The match was over as a contest after that as Village maintained control. And only some good saves by Michael Higgs in the Rangers goal prevented Village from extending their lead.

Before the half, a cross from the left by Jennings was met by Robinson at the far post but his header was pushed away by Higgs, filling in for Randy Darrell who is recovering from an achilles injury.

Higgs was on the spot again in injury time, parrying a shot from Jennings low to his left before Warren followed up to have a right-foot shot blocked in front of goal.

Village, still controlling things early in the second half, went close again when a shot from Jennings bounced past the far post. At the other end Janeiro Tucker put a free kick for Rangers inches over the bar. Then Jennings also shot over after Michael Hansey set him up with a strong run into the box.

Village continued to waste chances as substitute Damon Wade caught the bug, heading over the bar from six yards after meeting a good cross from Jamaul Boyles on the right.

Rangers' last chance fell to Tucker whose long range shot was put wide of an open goal, after goalkeeper Gladwin Edness was caught on the edge of the penalty box and Kimandi Binns' clearance went straight to Tucker on the right side. His shot from about 35 yards was well off target.

North Village: G.Edness; M.Dill, Kent.Jennings, K.Binns, M.Hansey, N.Robinson (C.Dill 78 mins), O.Ray (S.Goater 56 mins), J.Boyles, T.Outerbridge, D.Warren, Kev.Jennings (D.Wade 83 mins).

Southampton: M.Higgs; S.Simmons, P.Brangman, R.Belboda, A.Tucker, J.Raynor, S.Ming (B.Harris 78 mins), O.Hart, N.Smith (O.Riley 65 mins), K.Tucker, J.Tucker.

Referee: Irven Simmons Men of the match: Kevin Jennings (Village), Michael Higgs (Rangers).

Yellow cards: Omari Hart, Antwone Tucker, Kwame Tucker, Shawn Simmons (all Rangers).

Red card: Jason Raynor (Rangers).

CRYSTAL PALACE CUP North Village 6 PHC 2 Domico Coddington scored a hat-trick as North Village advanced to the semi-finals of the Crystal Palace Youth Cup at Bernard Park yesterday.

After Eugene Calder had given the Zebras a 1-0 lead in the first half, Village hit back to take firm control. They equalised through Jason Dill from the penalty spot and it stayed that way until early in the second half when Darren Williams made made it 2-1 for the home team.

Coddington opened his account to make it 3-1 but PHC kept it close when Damien Hatherley pulled a goal back. Three unanswered goals settled the tie for the young Red Devils, with Shakai Simmons' lob over the 'keeper making it 4-2.

Coddington then scored twice in the last three minutes of the match to seal his hat-trick.

At White Hill field, Devonshire Colts and St. George's were involved in a close contest for the first half until the east enders broke away and beat their opponents 3-0 with a spirited display in the second half.

The deadlock was broken by a goal by Allan Douglas and then the Crystal Palace champions got two more from Bryan Phipps and Ben Phipps.

Dandy Town defaulted to Boulevard at St. David's while Somerset Trojans failed to field a team for their home match against Southampton Rangers.