Southampton Rangers 2

Hamilton Parish 1

A second half goal by Dawud Tucker gave Southampton Rangers a slim victory against Hamilton Parish at Southampton Oval yesterday.

With a draw seeming inevitable in a contest involving evenly-match teams lingering near the bottom of the table, Rangers came through with what turned out to be the clinching goal when the hard-working Morricko Iris – a huge pest to Parish down on the left flank – created the opening for the unmarked Tucker to tap home from a few yards' out.

As anybody might have predicted or expected, the clash between the eighth-placed Rangers and their ninth – placed opponents didn't produce much spectacular play – but there were three goals to keep the small attendance from being completely frustrated and bored.

Rangers should have taken an early lead after 15 minutes but Yuzaire Tucker missed a sitter when he placed Iris' cross wide of the post from just five yards.

Four minutes later Parish staged their first attack and it landed them a goal with left full-back Romone Smith sending home a low scorcher from 22 yards from an angle on the left that goalkeeper Jason Smith – unsteady throughout the contest – failed to reach after a desperate dive to his left.

Despite falling behind Rangers managed to take a decisive edge for the remainder of the half with the lively Iris prominent in most raids down the left flank but being frustrated after watching Dawud Tucker and Rohaan Simons put crosses over the bar.

Parish managed one positive counter-attack but striker Dejon Simmons sent his half-volley high from 15 yards after 30 minutes.

Rangers finally got the goal they sought so diligently when Glen Walker fouled in the box and Kamen Tucker struck home the penalty with comfort to level the scores at the interval.

Rangers should have gone a goal up after 49 minutes but the always dangerous and efficient goal poacher Rohaan Simons surprisingly put his shot over goal from just 12 yards.

The same player was sent off six minutes later after receiving a second yellow card but the shortage didn't seem to bother the home team too much.

Eleven minutes later they were to go a goal up when Iris created the opening for Tucker to score after catching the defence in complete tatters.

Parish never folded though with Omar Allen forcing Smith in the Rangers goal to pull off a fine reflex save after 71 minutes and Chris Caisey heading a Patrick Puckering cross inches wide from 10 yards.

Allowed to come into the game with more and more momentum, Parish pressed forward and looked capable of getting the equaliser with Ryan Richardson and Patrick Richardson each placing a shot wide.

But it wasn't to be and Rangers' defence survived and prevented the visitors from recording their first league win of the season.

Southampton Rangers: J.Smith; M.Williams, K.Simmons, K.Tucker, O.Hart; T.Brown, Y.Tucker (J.Bean, 65), A.Raynor (T.Flood, 80); R.Simons, D.Tucker, M.Iris (J.Hill, 88).

Substitute not used: J.Caisey.

Goals: K.Tucker, D.Tucker.

Yellow card: R.Simons, J.Hill.

Red card: R.Simons.

Hamilton Parish: R.Evans; K.Cann (P.Puckerin, 45), R.Richardson, C.Hansey, R.Smith; G.Walker (K.Hollis, 68), R.Trott, C.Caisey; P.Richardson, D.Simmons (O.Allen, 68), A.Cannonier.

Substitute not used: R.Simmons.

Goals: R.Smith.

Yellow card: A.Cannonier

Referee: Ronue Cann

Man of the match: Morricko Iris (Southampton).