The scoreline might suggest that this was a closely-fought game, with only Rodney Bascome's 63rd-minute goal separating the teams, but the reality was otherwise.

After an open and exciting first half in which either team could have scored twice, so complete was Somerset's domination of the second half that Southampton did not once have a man in possession in the Somerset 18-yard area.

Southampton's crisis deepened with this defeat: currently without a coach, they have not won since November 28, and have slid into the relegation zone with no immediate sign that they possess the skills to escape.

Both teams channelled much of their attack up the right wing in yesterday's game. The crisp winds, which kept the temperature in the low 50s reduced the efficiency of the long airborne pass, and both teams acted accordingly, keeping the ball on the ground whenever possible.

For the first quarter of an hour, neither side could stamp their superiority on the game, and chances arose at either end.

Somerset goalkeeper Antoine Swan produced a full-stretch effort to deny Herbert Dillas an opening goal for Rangers, and within moments it was Randolph Darrell's turn to punch out a hard shot from Frankie Simmons. Ten minutes later, Swan again dived across his goal to keep out a longer-range effort from Jason Raynor.

The remainder of the first half was evenly balanced, with the requirements of the close passing game bringing out the best in both teams. Tempers flared briefly with five minutes left in the half, but referee Lawrence DeShields quickly separated the players and spoke briefly to both captains.

The second half belonged entirely to Somerset. From the first moments, they sent wave upon wave of attackers in red toward the Southampton goal. Such an all-out commitment to attack can leave a team vulnerable at the back, and on occasion Southampton looked set to create chances from the breakaway.

But all for nought: they could not muster the manpower needed to break down a Somerset defence giving nothing away.

Bascome's goal was a beauty. Scrappy play down the left wing led to a cross being fed in, and for a split second Bascome was all alone, with space, in the middle of the Southampton box. He jumped in the air to allow his left foot to find the ball, and slid it with confidence past Darrell, who could do nothing.

Comments from the clubhouse made it plain that the spectators thought Bascome was offside, but a Ranger either side of him, neither close to the ball, ensured that he was well on-side when he received the ball.

Thereafter, the only question was whether Somerset would score again. That they did not was as much the result of tiredness as the unexpected amount of freedom, which they enjoyed in moving forward.

Gary Darrell will have his work cut out if he accepts the coaching post at Southampton, but if he can resurrect the spirit the team showed in the first half, they may yet escape the doom to which they appear at present to be hurtling.

Somerset: A.Swan, A.Rahman, G.Cann, L.Simmons, T.Dickinson, D.Binns, S.Arorash (K.Tucker, 69 mins), R.Simmons, F.Simmons, R.Bascome, R.Scott.

Southampton: R.Darrell, T.Jones, R.Belboda, D.Charles, P.Brangman, W.Simons, M.DeMoura, O.Jones, J.Raynor, A.Russell (D.Hall, 69 mins), H.Dillas.

Referee: Lawrence DeShields.

Men of the match: Duvall Binns (Somerset); Mark DeMoura (Southampton).