Vasco's hopes of retaining the Coca Cola First Division championship dived as Rangers' striker Herbie Dillas hit an 89th minute equaliser at PHC Stadium yesterday.

By taking just one point instead of the maximum three for victory, Vasco slipped five points behind leaders Devonshire Colts with both teams having three games remaining. Colts now require only four more points to clinch the title.

It was an agonising ending for Vasco, although Southampton ultimately deserved a share of the spoils.

Hard-working forward Rohaan Simons, Southampton's best player, sent over a dangerous corner that bounced off the back of players and onto Dillas who coolly gained control before thundering the ball beyond the outstretched hands of diving goalkeeper Timmy Figureido.

Dillas's goal made amends for a miss four minutes earlier when Figureido denied him from 12 yards after Simons had once again set up the chance.

The second half saw Southampton fight back after being out-gunned in the first half when they trailed 2-1.

Rangers dominated the first 10 minutes of the first half with Simons blundering after seven minutes when he only partially struck a shot from close range.

But he followed up superbly by moving in swiftly from the right and striking a fierce angled shot that went right at the goalkeeper.

Vasco slowly found their touch and swung the balance in their favour after 22 minutes when a shot by Paul Towlson that should have been easily held by goalkeeper Randy Darrell led to the opener.

Darrell had difficulty collecting the ball as he rolled on the ground and the eager Steval Arorash gratefully tapped home the rebound from close in as referee Richard Knight denied claims by Southampton that a foul be called.

Then after 30 minutes Vasco threatened to take complete charge of things when Arorash received a pass from Voorhees Astwood on the left flank and sent home a hard shot to put his team 2-0 ahead.

Southampton struggled to regain their early momentum, yet forwards Simons, Dillas and Kwame Tucker always threatened with their speed.

And the inevitable goal for Rangers came from Simons who brilliantly out-paced a trio of defenders -- Derek Stapley, Sean Smith and Kentoine Jennings -- to blast the ball home from close range.

Rangers continued to hold a slight advantage after the interval and Simons watched in agony as his fine chip over the defence to Alfred Wolffe resulted in the latter fluffing an easy chance from just 10 yards after 52 minutes.

Meanwhile, Vasco forward Sammy Swan could only watch in dismay as his drive from 14 yards went right at goalkeeper Darrell.

Southampton continued to press and it was Simons again who spearheaded their attack, coming close on two occasions with shots from just outside the penalty box.

Vasco failed to add to their lead when Irving Burgess put an effort wide from 12 yards after Swan had crossed. Rangers then had several chances before Dillas struck. After 70 minutes midfielder Ryan Belboda hurried a shot over from 14 yards, Dillas shot at the goalkeeper from 15 yards after 76 minutes and Simons curled a shot from just outside the box on the left against the bar.

Figureido was to deny Dillas's blast after 85 minutes but the forward made amends four minutes later with the equaliser.

Vasco: T.Figureido; T.Dickinson (K.Jennings, 20 mins), P.Towlson, S.Smith, E.Richardson; S.Arorash, V.Astwood, D.Stapley; S.Swan, D.Basden (F.Simmons, 65 mins), I.Burgess Southampton: R.Darrell; S.Simmons, R.Belboda, P.Brangman, E.Brangman; J.Raynor, E.Pitt, A.Wolffe (N.Smith, 54 mins); K.Tucker (D.Tucker, 80 mins), H.Dillas, R.Simons Referee: Richard Knight Men of the match: Paul Towlson (Vasco); Rohaan Simons (Rangers)