Southampton Rangers broke their Premier Division duck at St. John's Field yesterday with a performance which made one wonder why they have waited this long for a victory.

Goals by Kwame Tucker, Ascento Russell and Jason Raynor gave Rangers their first points of the season and ended a four-match losing streak.

But for out-of-sorts Town, this was the worst possible preparation for Thursday's Martonmere Cup final against Wolves.

Town enjoyed plenty of possession but couldn't find a way through the solid Rangers rearguard. Rangers worked hard for each other and once they went ahead, defended their lead as if their lives depended on it.

After a lively start, the first half degenerated into a rather drab affair, memorable only for the first Rangers goal in the 28th minute.

The hard-working Russell earned a corner with a fine run down the right wing.

Raynor's flag kick found Tucker, who headed home firmly at the far post.

Four minutes into the second half, Rangers doubled their lead with a deserved goal for Russell, though a personal disaster for Town 'keeper Jason Smith.

Russell showed excellent balance to turn his marker Daron Steede on the edge of the box, but rather scuffed his shot. Smith looked as if he would gather it comfortably, but it took an awkward bounce and spun off his body and into the net.

Rangers grew noticeably in confidence as they sensed their first three points coming and defended tigerishly to shut out Town while looking dangerous on the occasional counter-attack.

On 69 minutes, Reggie Tucker shot inches wide for Town after a sharp turn and cross by Darron Simons. And although Heys Wolfe's plentiful supply of well struck crosses from the left should have produced results for Town, the Rangers defenders always seemed to get a head in the way.

Another penetrating run by the tireless Russell led to the third goal 12 minutes from time. The former Vasco striker was brought down by Steede about 22 yards from goal and Raynor hit a left-footed free kick which deflected off the defensive wall and spun out of the reach of the luckless Jason Smith.

Town: J.Smith, W.Rudo, J.Marshall, D.Steede, D.Bailey, S.Smith (K.Hurdle 71 mins), D.Boyles, H.Wolfe (K.Steede 71 mins), C.Smith (W.Mills 12 mins), D.Simons, R.Tucker.

Rangers: R.Darrell, P.Brangman, E.Pitt, R.Belboda, D.Charles, C.Darrell, J.Raynor, A.Russell, S.Ming, K.Tucker (O.Hart 55 mins), H.Dillas.

Men of the match: Heys Wolfe (Town); Ascento Russell (Rangers) Referee: Richard Knight Yellow cards: Daron Steede (Town) Red cards: None PHC 3 St. David's 1 It might not have been one of their most memorable performances but PHC still snatched all three points at Somerset yesterday to earn sole possession of first place in the Premier Division.

The Zebras got one goal in the first half from hard-working midfielder Vic Ball and two more after the break from Ricky Mallory and Stephen Astwood.

Lionel Cann hit the Islanders' lone goal in the second half.

And Cann could have made it a miserable day for PHC during the last 10 minutes, but he blew two chances and suffered bad luck with another effort.

Despite these opportunities, most of which came about through poor defending, PHC deserved maximum points. After 14 minutes Ball slammed PHC ahead, giving them a edge which they maintained until the half.

In the second half, Otis Steede's effort from 16 yards sailed into the chest of Minors, then a fierce shot from Astwood was sensationally blocked by the goalkeeper with the rebound going to Mallory who scored from close range.

Cann revived St. David's by scoring from a rebound after 54 minutes when goalkeeper Carlyle Crockwell palmed out a header from Shane Weeks.

But St. David's' hopes of getting back on even terms were dashed by Astwood after 62 minutes when he scored from the penalty spot after Del Hollis had fouled Dowling.

The game was held up for some 30 minutes in the first half when Daniel Stovell received a serious leg injury and was later taken to hospital.

PHC: C.Crockwell; E.Dowling, D.Outerbridge, R.Lewis, E.Hunt; O.Steede (M.Lambe, 70 mins), V.Ball, K.Mills; T.Darrell (H.Tucker, 81 mins), R.Mallory, S.Astwood (M.Smith, 67 mins) St. David's: S.Minors; A.Lugo, D.Stovell (S.Robinson, 30 mins), C.Waldron, D.Musson (E.Wolffe, 75 mins); D.Hollis, W.Bean, L.Cann; C.Simmons, S.Weeks, K.Lambe Referee: George O'Brien Men of the match: Vic Ball (PHC); Worrell Bean (St. David's) Yellow cards: Stephen Astwood, Tillman Darrell (PHC); Del Hollis, Shae Simmons (St. David's) Red cards: None.