It was a test of character few teams could pass.

Unfortunately for Boulevard and their title hopes, Southampton Rangers not only passed, they graduated with honours.

Trailing 3-0 at the half, Rangers yesterday stiffened when they should have sagged and stole a point in this key First Division clash at Southampton Oval.

Boulevard needed the win to keep pace with Vasco, who edged PHC 3-2. Instead, they now find themselves five points behind the league leaders, the only consolation being that North Village, a point back in third, also lost.

Rangers fightback began with a lucky goal by Janeiro Tucker ten minutes into the restart and ended with a penalty kick by Rohaan Simons nine minutes from the end. Tucker scored another inbetween as Rangers pounded away at goalkeeper Andre Hendrickson.

In the absence of Herbie Dillas and Craig Darrell, Tucker was moved from midfield to centre forward and Kawme Tucker took over the right flank, opposite the speedy Simons.

Theirs was a dangerous troika and although he misfired on a couple of occasions, Janeiro Tucker was the key.

His 55th minute strike provided a 180-degree turn in momentum even though he really didn't score. A long ball from the left side was nodded by him towards goal but deflected off a defender's head and over a surprised Hendrickson.

Another ball from the left wing, this one in the 75th minute found Tucker in front and before his marker could react, he had spun and slotted a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Rangers went on the attack again and a scramble in front of goal resulted in Boulevard defender Donnie Charles handling the ball. Simons coolly stroked the spot kick home.

That paved the way for a frantic final five minutes as both teams searched for a win.

It was Boulevard, playing without star striker Rodney Bascome, who were smiling at half-time after two goals from Dwight Warren and one from Otis Minors.

A letdown was inevitable but in retrospect their goals were only as a result of Rangers errors and it was only over the final 20 minutes of the first half they were able to muster any sort of consistency.

Minors opened the scoring after 30 minutes, taking a long ball, and, as full back Ryan Belboda ran blindly by, looped a long shot over 'keeper Randy Darrell, playing well off his line.

Under a minute later, Warren found himself behind the Rangers defence, shrugged off an inept tackle by Pernell Brangman, spun and fired past Darrell.

Warren's second goal was another breakaway. It came in injury time and, with a little less character on the other side, would have made a huge difference heading into the dressing rooms.

Rangers: R.Darrell, E.Pitt, J.Raynor, R.Belboda, P.Brangman, O.Jones, C.Simmons, S.Ming, K.Tucker, J.Tucker, R.Simons Boulevard: A.Hendrickson, D.Charles, L.Stevens, D.Smith, A.Caisey, L.Hypolite, J.Warren, V.Eve, K.Hill (S.Crockwell, 85 mins.), D.Warren, O.Minors (V.Phillips, 67 mins.) Referee: Anthony Mouchette.

Men of the match: Dwight Warren (Boulevard), Janeiro Tucker (Rangers).