Paget's promotion's hopes received another setback when they struggled to keep pace with Somerset Eagles at White Hill, and fell to their sixth defeat.

The result caused them to lose crucial ground on fellow chasers Ireland Rangers and First Division leaders St. George's, with only three matches remaining.

Eagles wasted little time identifying their purpose, as Lamaul Crofton put the home side ahead after just 12 minutes, and this advantage stood up until the interval.

Ten minutes following the break striker Stephen Burrows put them 2-0 ahead.

However, Paget remained competitive and pulled a goal back after 78 minutes through substitute Kevin Smith.

But Eagles were in no mood for charity, especially any at their expense, re-establishing the two-goal lead when substitute Rodre Wilson made a solo run down the left flank, dribbled by two defenders and drilled the ball home from an sharp angle for the third goal for the home team.

Paget, who remain on 21 points, now trail Ireland Rangers by three and St.

George's by seven, and have played a game more than each.

Ire.Rangers 3 Ham.Parish 1 Ireland Rangers took advantage of a slip by their chief rivals for the promotional play-off spot, notching a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Hamilton Parish at Malabar yesterday.

The Hot Peppers looked like continuing the roll of a week ago when they put a `six-pack' in St. David's when Leon Raynor tallied early on, but this only served to arouse and irritate the home side, who stormed back with three unanswered strikes.

Team leading scorer Jonathan Bean scored to draw the Rangers level, before Raymond Knight connected on a 25-yard tracer of a shot that severely tested the strength of the nylon netting.

Insurance was added after the break by midfield workhorse Sean Symons, as Rangers moved to within four points of top spot.

St. George's 0 Prospect 2 Prospect pulled their greatest upset of the season to date as they shocked the league leaders at Wellington Oval yesterday, at least momentarily stalling the east enders' promotion drive. Scorers were unavailable at press time.

Boulevard 1 Social Club 0 Just as the rise from the depths of Boulevard continued, so did the pitiful demise of Social Club after the former dispatched the Bluebirds at St. John's Field.

A Gregory Johnson score just into the second half ultimately proved enough to secure Blazers' victory.