Donnie Charles gave himself an early birthday present by netting a late Southampton winner at St. David's.

Then he let himself and his team down by receiving his marching orders for making an obscene gesture at fans as he celebrated the goal.

Charles, who turns 26 tomorrow, directed his attention at spectators after netting the winning goal five minutes from the end when he got inside the box and tucked a low shot into the bottom corner.

But within seconds he was heading back to the dressing room when referee George O'Brien flashed the red card, having booked him earlier in the match.

The late goal signalled huge relief for Rangers who lost to Second Division team Social Club last season. They were frustrated by their inability to stamp their authority on this match as Hamilton Parish, with nothing to lose, kept out their favoured Premier Division opponents in the first half.

With their first chance, Parish almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Sean Dill got through to force a shot just wide.

At the other end Temiko Flood of Rangers lifted a good chance over the top after a cross into the box. Then a strong run by Kwame Tucker resulted in a low shot which produced a good save by the diving Andre Smith in the Parish goal.

But Parish were also creating chances of their own as Irving Romaine went close from a free kick that was just inches too high. And only a brilliant save by Randy Darrell denied the experienced Ricky Hill a goal in the last minute of the half.

Hill showed why he is still one of the most fearsome headers of the ball when he met Leon Raynor's cross and unleashed a firm strike which Darrell tipped over the bar.

Rangers enjoyed a good period of pressure early in the second half and were finally rewarded with the opening goal in the 66th minute, a soft effort by Nashon Smith after the ball managed to reach him at the far post following a Craig Darrell corner.

But the Rangers lead lasted just two minutes as Parish equalised through the 40-year-old Hill. A cross from the right by Jamel Dill saw Antwone Tucker miskick near the edge of the box. The ball eventually reached Hill at the far post and he tucked a left footed shot past Darrell.

But there was no coming back for a second equaliser after Charles put Rangers back in front in the 85th minute.

Parish: A.Smith; H.Shakir (D.Burgess 75 mins), J.Bean, I.Romaine, J.Dill, L.Raynor (C.Hill 70 mins), C.Caisey, D.Edwards (T.Webb 63 mins), A.Baker, R.Hill, S.Dill.

Southampton: R.Darrell; M.Raynor, P.Brangman, A.Tucker, N.Grant, J.Raynor, D.Charles, K.Tucker (R.Belboda 63 mins), C.Darrell, N.Smith, T.Flood (J.Tucker 53 mins).

Referee: George O'Brien.

Men of the match: Andre Smith (Parish), Pernell Brangman (Southampton).

Yellow cards: Ricky Hill (Parish), Jason Raynor, Donnie Charles, Craig Darrell (Southampton).

Red card: D.Charles (Southampton).