Super-sub Rohaan Simons came to Southampton Rangers' rescue as he jumped off the bench late in the second half to spark his side to a memorable victory over Devonshire Colts at Southampton Oval.

Rangers coach Albert Smith pulled off a masterstroke in replacing Marricko Iris with Simons in the 77th minute, and it was the latter's strike in the 80th that levelled matters, sending the home fans into raptures.

The tireless Keemo Smith struck the final blow with the last kick of the game to seal the victory.

It was unjust for Colts who had the better of the play in the opening 15 minutes of both halves, yet squandered chances proved their demise.

The match didn't come to life until Rangers winger Jahnai Bean headed home a lofted cross in the 43rd minute, with his effort hitting the inside of the post before going in.

Immediately after the break, Andre Famous levelled the score in the 46th when he was left unmarked at the back post and side footed a Ryan Purnell delivery into the roof of the net from six yards.

Famous was to be the instigator of the Colts second goal after a mazy run down the flank saw him upended, pleading for a foul.

Referee Ronue Cann, however, allowed play to continue with substitute Quincy Aberdeen collecting the loose ball and surging into the area where he was bought down by goalkeeper Gerald Simons.

Aberdeen stepped up and coolly slotted his chance home to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage in the 73rd minute.

Midfielder Sean Perinchief had a chance to put the match beyond the hosts, but squandered the golden chance after some nifty work from Aberdeen down the right flank.

Rangers had a penalty shout of their own turned down when Enrique Wilkin appeared to handle the ball in the box.

With this, on came Simons and within three minutes of being on the pitch he struck what would be the telling blow to Colts' thoughts of a first league win.

With a corner not being cleared properly, Simons swiveled on a dime and unleashed a pile driver that hit the inside of the bar and flew into the back of the net.

There was nothing Jermaine Nesbitt could do in between the posts for Colts as the mercurial striker showed his delight with a celebration to the home supporters.

But not to be outdone, Colts themselves had a chance at a winner in the 87th minute when Aberdeen's diving header went inches wide of the back post.

The knockout punch came in the 91st minute, when Keith Martin recklessly bought Bean down just outside the box.

Travis Wilkinson sent a swerving ball in the area, where Smith was on hand to nod home his own diving header with little to no time left on the clock.

The win sees Rangers climb two places to fifth, leapfrogging PHC and Hamilton Parish.

Simons, after the match, noted that his side wants to gain momentum in their run up to their Friendship final date with PHC.

"Basically, when I came on I wanted to score as quickly as possible," said Simons.

"The game was going back and forth, and these were very crucial points for us. We wanted to get all three.

"My goal was to get us back in the match as quickly as possible.

"All credit to Colts, they came up here ready to play and they weren't going to lay down.

"I told my team-mates that they would do that.

"We started slow but at the same time us grinding out victories will go a long way for our confidence.

"We want to go into the Friendship final on a good note, gaining momentum and having a good atmosphere around the team, fans and the Club.

"That was our goal and we have set about doing just that."

Southampton Rangers G.Simons, A.Rucker, D.Charles, J.Charles, J.DIll, K.Smith, M.Williams (T.Flood 72), T.Wilkinson, J.Bean, M.Iris (R.Simons 77), O.Hunt

Devonshire Colts J.Nesbitt, E.Wilkin, W.Ming, R.Purnell, J.Butterfield, A.Famous, T.Foote, K.Jones (Q.Aberdeen 68), M.Pace (C.Trott 86), S.Perinshief, K.Martin

Referee: R. Cann

Yellow Cards: K. Jones (Colts) A.Rucker (Rangers)

Man of the Match: K.Smith

PHC 1 Hamilton Parish 1

At Wellington Oval yesterday, Hamilton Parish and PHC played to a draw.

Parish took the lead through Chris Caisey who had the simple task of tapping home from close range in the first half after slip-ups from both Tokia Russell and goalkeeper Raymond Glasford gifted the midfielder the chance.

Cecoy Robinson equalised for the visitors after being put through on goal.

The striker, who still had work to do with a defender breathing down his neck and Nigel Burgess advancing, cut the ball back and slid his chance under the onrushing 'keeper.