in a pitched battle to avoid relegation and their task becomes no easier this tomorrow when they face fourth placed Devonshire Colts.

Perilously perched on the ninth slot of the Coca-Cola First Division ladder the men from the west are in desperate need of points.

New coach Gary Darrell is one fully aware of their status and yesterday highlighted the club's needs. .. victories.

"Because of the predicament it is a must win -- and not lose -- situation,'' said Darrell, who recently took over from Kenny Burt. "We need points from each of the remaining matches.'' Losers of four of their last five games, including three league defeats, Rangers simply have to find the right formula for success to avoid the drop.

Still, a new attitude has been noted about the club since Darrell's assuming of the coaching hot seat, with the only aspect needed now being positive results.

"I think I've been able to say some things to them that they've never heard before, but nothing that they probably didn't already know before,''; Darrell continued.

"It may be the positive attitude I've brought to the club, which comes from my experience as the national coach.

"Everyone seems very keen and the player response and turnout has been good so I have no problem in that regard.

"I knew the situation coming in and it's just a job I have to do.'' Colts could prove just the tonic as despite their lofty position the men from Frog Lane enter having lost their previous two league matches. Rangers should have top scorer Shawn Simons back from a three-gzame suspension.

While not yet out of it the Devonshire club have slid close to being out of real contention for league honours after showing much promise coming off a stellar 1992-93 campaign where they finished second.

Meanwhile, Dandy Town can temporarily displace North Village as the top side on the Island with a win or draw against Vasco when the pair face off tonight at PHC Stadium (9 p.m.).

The Portuguese club have been running hot lately, winning four in a row, but in Town face arguably the most on form outfit at the moment.

Beleaguered leaders North Village attempt to retrieve a semblance of normalcy when the travel to face hard-nosed St. George's at Wellington Oval.

Other matches have Boulevard hosting PHC, while Somerset appear to have the easiest road, welcoming the challenge of cellar dwellers St. David's.

Action in the Daihatsu Second Division also gets underway tonight at PHC (7 p.m.) with Social Club expected to be the latest victims of leaders Devonshire Cougars, while tomorrow sees Wolves taking on Paget, Hamilton Parish hosting Somerset Eagles and Port Royal meeting Prospect at White Hill field.