Hot favourites Glasgow Rangers succumbed to a sensational second-half fight back by United States in the Bermuda International Youth tournament final at National Stadium last night.

Losers to Rangers by a convincing 4-1 score in Monday's first round, the Americans seemed to be heading towards a second defeat to their opponents who dominated the first half. But as it turned out, the slim 1-0 lead which the Scottish youths managed to build by the interval proved to be insufficient.

Inspired up front by the hard running of Charles McGinty and Patrick Sullivan, the US were a revitalised bunch when play restarted in the second half and managed to methodically throw their opponents out of gear.

A penalty for rough play called by referee Stuart Crockwell was converted by Filippo Chillemi after 51 minutes to get them off to a good start and two goals to follow from McGinty managed to do the trick, giving the US a 3-1 lead after 73 minutes.

Rangers have themselves to blame for being unable to duplicate their under-16's winning performance in the competition a year ago.

Rangers, who won their three round-robin games by a combined score of 10-3, called the tune of play for the entire first half but had a lone goal by Steven Caulley to show for it, the goal coming from a header after 34 minutes when he combined with Lain Russell.

Earlier Rangers had two chances but goalkeeper Danny Clay dived to saved a blast from Olafur Snorrason and Caullay's off-balanced shot from close in went straight at Clay.

Lifting their pace and rhythmn, the US were inspired by the penalty which levelled the scores at 1-1 after 51 minutes. Within two minutes they took a deserved 2-1 lead when McGinty brilliantly headed home a cross by Justin Towns.

Rangers became unsettled in defence and were lucky after 55 minutes when Kenzo Touchiki blasted a shot from 15 yards that sailed straight into the chest of goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

After 65 minutes Rangers became more threatening with Russell putting a shot right at goalkeeper Clay from 14 yards and Caullay putting a lob just over the bar from an angle on the right.

Just as Rangers seemed to be regaining the edge they were floored by the eager McGinty, this time he made it 3-1 after getting possession from a corner taken by Tochiki.

With time running out Rangers really started to lift their performance and the inevitable second goal came after 78 minutes when Scott McGuade headed home a Russell cross to make it 3-2.

A minute later they were denied the equaliser when Russell's shot from 13 yards was pushed for a corner by Clay.