Rangers survived a late Trojans rally to record their third Premier Division win of the season and dash the West Enders' Dudley Eve Trophy hopes.

First half goals by Rangers' Craig Darrell and Nashun Smith proved enough to earn three points, though they suffered some nervous moments late in the game, particularly after Franklyn Simmons pulled one back in the 88th minute.

Trojans fans would have expected more from their team on recent form, following an exciting draw with leaders PHC and a midweek victory over Vasco in the Friendship Trophy.

But Rangers were solid in defence and with the pace of Craig Darrell and the returning Rohaan Simons on the flanks, fast counter-attacks proved productive for them.

Trojans, with the wind on their backs in the first half, made the early running and tried their luck with a few long-range shots.

In the 11th minute, Trojans had a strong penalty appeal turned down by referee Anthony Mouchette, after David Burchall's cross hit the forearm of Rangers' Donnie Charles. But the defender got the benefit of the doubt.

Rangers hit back in the 17th minute with a typical counter-attack, led by Craig Darrell on the right flank and his cross bounced up off a defender for Simons, whose close-range volley was blocked bravely by keeper Keenan Tucker.

Tucker made another excellent save four minutes later, diving to his right to keep out a volley on the turn by Kwame Tucker, after he had been found by Jason Raynor's free kick.

Darrell's opening goal in the 25th minute was the end product of a clever move from a corner aided by slack Somerset marking.

When Darrell took up a position near the corner of the penalty area, no defender went with him and when Raynor rolled the flag-kick to him, he cracked a fine, first-time shot which flew through the crowded goalmouth and into the top right-hand corner.

Eight minutes later, it was 2-0, when a through ball down the right caught the Somerset defence napping as they waited for an offisde flag which was not forthcoming. Smith ignored the hesitation around him to run into the box and steer the ball home from a narrow angle.

Randy Darrell had little to do in the first half, but made a sharp save two minutes before the break. After Charles had brought down Burchall, Karl Roberts curled a 20-yard dipping free kick over the defensive wall, only for Darrell to tip it over the bar.

Ten minutes into the second half, a wild tackle by Nasir Wade on Craig Darrell earned him a yellow card and Rangers a free kick on the left wing. Raynor curled it to the far post and Smith headed inches wide.

That was a rare Rangers raid in a second period when they seemed quite happy to sit on their lead and keeper Randy Darrell was cautioned for time-wasting.

The caution was one of eight yellow cards shown by Mouchette, who did well to keep control of a game which at times threatened to get out of hand.

Steval Mendes almost pulled one back for Somerset with a six-yard header which flashed over the bar eight minutes from time. And they finally pulled one back two minutes from time when Simmons nodded in a Mendes cross, but it was too little, too late for Trojans.

Somerset: K.Tucker, K.Roberts, L.Trew, R.Scott, Nad.Wade, M.Brangman (S.Mendes 45 mins), J.Dill, D.Rahman, D.Burchall (K.Burrows 45 mins), Nas.Wade (A.Webb 60 mins), F.Simmons.

Rangers: R.Darrell, P.Brangman, N.Grant, R.Belboda, J.Raynor, S.Ming, C.Darrell, R.Simons, N.Smith (D.Tucker 82 mins), D.Charles, K.Tucker (O.Hart 82 mins).

Men of the match: Karl Roberts (Trojans); Sheridan Ming (Rangers).

Referee: Anthony Mouchette.

Yellow cards: Roberts, Trew, Nas.Wade, Burrows, Webb (Somerset); Raynor, R.Darrell, Charles (Rangers).

Red cards: None.