A cracking goal by Southampton Rangers' Herbie Dillas midway through the second half was enough to lift the home team over the visiting St. George's Colts yesterday at Southampton Oval.

The goal came at a point in the game when neither team looked able to break the deadlock. But Dillas had other plans, as he latched onto the ball just inside Colts' half of the field, advanced two steps and unleashed a vicious drive that whistled past goalkeeper Troy Hall.

In the close confines of the Oval, neither team appeared able to effect a cohesive passing game that would develop into scoring opportunities. Errant passes, coupled with poor finishing when slim chances were created, continually thwarted any hopes of a goal in the first half.

Only two minutes into the match, Lamar Seymour connected with a back header that bounced menacingly through the Colts goalmouth. But not one of his Rangers team-mates were on hand to put the ball home and it was scrambled away by defender Franklyn Greaves.

Rangers' only other chance in the first half was a speculative shot by Janeiro Tucker from all of 35 yards that forced the 'keeper to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner.

Colts have performed well defensively all season and this match was no different. Neil Paynter played his usual solid role in marshalling the defence against a sporadic Rangers attack.

But offensively, the east-enders have not been able to produce the goods when needed. Stevie Dickinson was a bright spot for them on the day but he was continually left to take on the defence alone and could only manage long shots that did little to test the mettle of Randy Darrell in the Rangers' goal. He took no less than five shots from outside the Rangers area, which were either snared by Darrell or went wide.

In the second half, Melvin Simmons provided some support for Dickinson but a fine opportunity to find the goal early was wasted as the burly striker raced his shot and saw the ball skip well wide of the target with Darrell out of position.

It was at this point in the game when Dillas scored the winner. For the remaining minutes of the match the visitors threw their all into the attack but were unable to find the mark before the final whistle.

Southampton: R.Darrell, T.Jones, R.Belboda, D.Charles, P.Brangman, W.Simons (J.Burgess, 77 mins), L.Seymour, J.Tucker, M.DeMoura, H.Dillas, C.Darrell.

St. George's: T.Hall, N.Paynter, A.Todd, F.Greaves, Q.Francis (D.Whitfield, 72 mins), D.Bailey, D.Richardson, C.Greaves, M.Simmons, G.Foggo, S.Dickinson.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of the match: Lamar Seymour (Southampton); Stevie Dickinson (St.

George's).