some help from the team they hammered yesterday at Southampton Oval.

The odds remain stacked against Rangers avoiding the drop to the Second Division after just one season back in the top flight. However, they are still hanging onto a mathematical chance of survival.

They will have to beat North Village in their final match while hoping that already doomed St. David's can repeat the shock win they had over the Zebras in their first year in the top flight last season.

After being evenly contested for the majority of the first half, this game burst to life with two Jason Raynor goals in the space of six minutes as Rangers pinned back their opponents.

The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute when the midfielder capitalised on a mistake by the St. David's defence to drive home a low shot from close range at the far post after the ball came across goal.

Raynor was in the right place at the right time to score the second in the 33rd minute, this time with a volley that beat the diving Sydney Minors after a cross from the right.

The two quick goals jolted the Islanders who hit back with a smartly taken goal four minutes later. Lionel Cann started the move 30 yards from the Rangers goal when he threaded a perfect pass on the left for the overlapping Reginald Pitcher.

Pitcher's first-time volley was parried by the diving Randy Darrell and Jerry Laws was quick to pounce to knock home his third goal of the season.

Even so, both teams played as though there was something at stake, with St.

David's coming on strong late in the first half and soon after the restart as the match hung in the balance.

However, Rangers striker Shawn Simons also came on stronger after the restart and he set up one and notched the other himself as the home team won by a comfortable margin.

It might have been different had Cann not wasted a good build-up just 33 seconds into the second half. Before too long it was virtually all Rangers as Ascento Russell hammered a shot just over the bar following a corner on the left in the 51st minute.

Moments later, Donnie Charles hit a 25-yarder that the 'keeper tipped over the bar. From the resulting corner, Ryan Belboda put his header against the crossbar.

Rangers were enjoying a good period of pressure and in the 65th minute they went further ahead. Simons showed some good skills on the left and provided a low cross to the near post where Lamar Seymour sank to his knees to head past the stranded Minors.

Ten minutes from time, Shea Pitcher's effort was turned around for a corner by Darrell, but soon after Rangers made certain of the two points.

Charles put a shot against the bar and before the danger was cleared Simons planted a firm shot past the 'keeper.

Southampton: R.Darrell; R.Belboda, E.Brangman (Wolffe, 81 mins), A.Stoneham, E.Pitt; D.Charles, P.Brangman, J.Raynor; A.Russell, L.Seymour, S.Simons.

St. David's: S.Minors; S.Robinson, D.Fox, S.Pitcher, R.Pitcher; S.Jones, D.Hollis, L.Cann; O.Minors, J.Laws, M.Tucker.

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Shawn Simons (Southampton); Shea Pitcher (St. David's).