After holding a seemingly comfortable three goal lead late in the game, Devonshire Cougars breathed a hugh sigh of relief at referee Esten Curtis' final whistle after Rangers almost snatched a point.

Cougars, still not clear of the relegation zone, were forced to hang on for victory after goals in the 76th and 86th minutes by Rangers pulled the score back to 4-3, just 20 minutes after Cougars had thought they wrapped up the game with Mark Smith's thunderbolt.

It was Smith who started the scoring in the 15th minute when George Dyer's low cross to the far post found Philip Clarke whose shot was blocked by goalkeeper Randy Darrell. The ball was back back across goal by Devon Brangman and this time Smith smashed it into the back of the net from close range.

In the 27th minute Rangers were back on level terms when Janeiro Tucker, returning to the team from injury, scored with a low shot that skidded on the wet surface and beat goalkeeper Tori Henry who thought he had it covered.

Rangers came close to taking the lead in the 33rd minute when Herbie Dillas pounced on some bad defending and got in a cross cross. Unfortunately no one was in the middle to meet it as the ball rolled away to the far side for a throw-in.

It was Cougars who went back in front three minutes later when Sheldon Caisey tucked the ball into the top corner from a freekick on the edge of the box, though it appeared Darrell had not moved his wall far enough to his left as the ball got around it.

Rangers, with Dillas, Tucker, Jerry Webb and Ascento Russell always probing, were never out of the match and almost equalised a second time late in the half when a quick break resulted in Russell feeding Dillas before the striker's shot went just wide.

Early in the second half Dillas then fed Jason Raynor before his shot ended well over the top.

Spurred on by the noisy crowd behind the western end, Cougars struck twice in the space of six minutes to cushion their lead. The third came on the hour when Dyer passed to Clarke in the box and he turned and stroked a low shot past Darrell from close range.

Rangers quickly made a double substitution, bringing on Erskine Brangman in place of Neville Grant in defence and Rohaan Simons for Jason Raynor. And while Simons made an impact it wasn't before Cougars extended their lead even further two minutes later.

Smith, starting in place of Clevie Campbell, was set up when Clarke laid the ball off to him inside the box following a cross from the left and Smith blasted first time past the helpless Darrell.

Dillas made it 4-2 with a low shot into the far corner and then four minutes from the end Simons netted the third for Rangers to keep them in the game before Cougars hung on for the three precious points.

Cougars: T.Henry, W.Martin, T.James, K.Swan, M.Dill, S.Caisey (T.Smith 80min), G.Dyer, S.Coddington, D.Brangman, M.Smith, P.Clarke.

Rangers: R.Darrell, M.Raynor, S.Simmons, R.Belboda, N.Grant (E.Brangman 64min), O.Jones, J.Raynor (R.Simons 64min), A.Russell, J.Webb, H.Dillas, J.Tucker.

Referee: Esten Curtis Men of match: Mark Smith (Cougars), Herbie Dillas (Rangers) Wolves 1 Somerset 1 Both Wolves and Somerset dropped two valuable promotion points in the opening match as they settled for a draw which leaves them tied for second place on 18 points.

After a scoreless first half Somerset finally broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when Lamaul Crofton converted a low cross from the right. Wolves deserved the equaliser which came 11 minutes later when, after an attempted Somerset clearance had hit one of their defenders, Khari Sharrieff pounced to scored with a first time shot past goalkeeper Keenan Tucker.

Somerset's Anthony Burchall was sent off in the closing minutes for pulling back a Wolves player. He had earlier been booked.

Action this weekend sees Vasco and Devonshire Colts, tied for second place on 19 points, batting for the leadership tonight at PHC Stadium while tomorrow leaders Dandy Town meet Boulevard at St. David's, St. George's are at home to PHC and North Village host St. David's at Bernard Park.

The opening Second Division match tonight at PHC Stadium pits Social Club against Paget.

Tomorrow, leaders Hotels are at home to Hamilton Parish at St. John's and Somerset Eagles take on BAA at White Hill at 3 p.m.

The draw for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup will be made on Monday afternoon at the BFA office, following the competion of third round matches this week.