embarrassing defeat at the hands of Commercial Division team Fire Service in an elimination round match on Tuesday night at Somerset Cricket Club.

The 6-3 extra time scoreline is somewhat flattering as it does not show that Fire Service led 3-1 in the first half and were still hanging on to a 3-2 lead when Rangers, who won this cup in 1984, equalised with just 40 seconds remaining.

Rangers looked set for an easy win when they opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Omari Hart only to see the defiant firemen douse their enthusiasm with three goals in 15 minutes to lead 3-1 at the half. Troy Furbert (two) and Tracy Bean were the Fire Service scorers.

Rangers pulled one back 20 minutes into the second half through Donald Hall and Fire Service tried to hang on for the season's biggest surprise, only to be denied by left-back Erskine Brangman's last-gasp equaliser, which sent the match into extra time.

Rangers stepped up their play in extra time with player/coach Kenny Burt putting them back in front in the first period before two goals from teenager Ricardo Nesbitt in the second period put paid to Fire Service's hopes of a fightback.

"We took Fire Service too lightly,'' admitted Rangers manager John Jordan yesterday. "We weren't serious about last night's game. They came at us and had the champagne on ice, and we just didn't prepare ourselves properly.'' Rangers recently also struggled to beat Prospect in a league match and Jordan said there is some work to be done if the team are to make a quick return to the First Division.

"The guys are not hanging tough like they should for former First Division players,'' Jordan said. "There is still a lot to do.'' In the second match at Somerset CC, Island Rangers beat Forties 4-1 with Keith Bremar netting twice and Michael Bremar another. George Mullbacher scored an own goal. Roy Fellowes netted the lone Forties goal.

Lobster Pot made another early exit from the FA Cup when they were beaten 3-1 by KPMG Peat Marwick who had goals from Adrian Jennings, Gary Knight and Eric Collins. Pot's only goal was an own goal from Chris Morley. Gary Knight was outstanding in midfield for KPMG, rallying to assist the defence and prominent in most of their attacks.

In a women's league at PHC on Tuesday, Dandy Stars beat Somerset Terminators 1-0.