Ireland Rangers, pacesetters in the First Division throughout this season, suffered their first loss yesterday, at the hands of X Roads at Garrison Field. But despite losing, they still lead the table by two points over nearest rivals Devonshire Colts.

The man doing the damage for X Roads was forward Howard Ascento with two goals, both coming in the second half after Rangers had taken a 1-0 lead in the opening half through Junior DeSilva.

Ascento?s winner came three minutes from time when he latched onto a ball deep in Rangers? half and stroked it home from 12 yards.

Rangers, with six wins and a draw before yesterday, were in charge for most of the game but missed a slew of chances and were denied by Gerron Dowling in the X Roads goal.

DeSilva put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes but a X Roads defence, held together by centre-backs Thaaquib Talbot and Khomeni Talbot ahead of goalkeeper Dowling gave little away.

After Ascento grabbed the equaliser on 67 minutes, a go-ahead goal for Rangers looked likely. But Sean Brangman missed a sitter from close range and then Dowling brilliantly saved a rocket from Curtis Grant, palming his shot from 15 yards over the bar.

Rangers were eventually foiled when, during a counter attack three minutes from the end, Ascento slipped through to net the winner.

St. George?s Colts 0 Wolves 3

Wolves continued to hold on to third spot with this emphatic away win at Wellington Oval with three first half goals from Jason Daniels, Nathan Webb and Vincent Minors.

Social Club 0 Prospect 2

Prospect got a goal in each half to brush off home side Social Club at Bernard Park. Deforest Evans put Prospect a goal up early and then John Richmond sealed victory with a strike in the second half.