leadership after outlasting Island Rangers during a goalscoring feast at White Hill Field on Saturday.

Forties won the match 4-3, but were made to sweat it out as a determined Rangers fought hard for the elusive equaliser.

Rob Jones led the way for the victors, netting twice while Forties got additional goals from Paul Hopwood and Andy Robinson.

Rangers, who trailed 2-1 at the half, replied through Troy Berkeley (two) and Blaine Outerbridge.

Level on nine points with Forties, but trailing on goal average are former champions BAA Wanderers.

Wanderers increased the pressure on the leaders with a 3-1 demolition of cellar dwelling Exiles at Shelly Bay Field.

Two gift goals by Paul Motram and one from Michael O'Connell proved more than enough to brush aside Exiles' token challenge.

The home side could only manage a single goal, that from the boot of Craig Tyrell.

Defending champions Robin Hood discovered just how littered the minefield can be when trying to repeat as they were shocked 4-3 by Fire Service.

Ralph Scott led the onslaught for Service, scorching a hat-trick, while Alan Lambert tallied once to offset strikes from Hood's Mike Stenhouse (two) and Dan Miller.

At the lower end of the tables Spinning Wheel secured a 1-1 draw with Lobster Pot, as Tony Smith shot Pot into a first half lead only to have Allan Fray level matters from the penalty spot.

KPMG got their first win of the season when they disposed of Devonshire Colts All-Stars 3-2 at Frog Lane Field.

Meanwhile, in Group B new club Mariners surged into first place on account of a 10-0 mauling of hapless Belco who were powerless against the onslaught on this day.

Craig Dixon and Richard Correia each had field days against a porous defence, scoring four goals apiece, while team-mate Dennis Pimental got into the act, scoring twice.

Losing a place -- albeit by virtue of an inferior goal difference -- were North Village Rams, 1-0 winners over Bermuda Pest Control (formerly Park United).

Danny Rogers notched a late winner to ensure Rams maintained their perfect record.

A nail biting affair occurred at The Den as visiting St. George's edged Devonshire Lions 5-4, but needed a strike from Cal Raynor with seconds remaining in the match to do so.

The goal was the second for Raynor as he, Hubert Wade (two) and James Pace all found the back of the net.

Lions though did not go quietly as they got single strikes from Robert Holdipp, Anthony Amory, Donald Norford and Kevin Hodson.

It was a big day for Prison Officers and Dennis Brown as they battered Wolves Pack 10-5 behind five goals from Brown.

Reginald Pitcher added two in support for Officers, while other goals came from D.Bean, G.Smith and E.Swan.

Substitute Cecil Hendrickson crashed home four goals in a losing effort while Kirk Douglas had one.

The day's other contest witnessed Somerset Extros and Valley battle to a 2-2 draw.

Aaron Carmichael and Andre Scott combined to put Valley ahead 2-0 in the second half, but player/coach Albert Thomas's removal of himself from the contest proved a turning point as the visitors fell apart, allowing Extros to come back through Jerry-Lynn Simons and Dwaine Richardson.

Ejected from the contest were Larry Smith of Extros and Valley's Paul Botelho.

In Alliance Division Group A action Dandy Town defeated Devonshire Colts by default, St. George's battered PHC 4-1 and Somerset similarly brushed aside North Village 4-0.

In Group B, Devonshire Cougars scorched Prospect 13-1.