New manager, same result? Sure.

Same performance? Don't you believe it.

While there's still plenty of work to be done to turn Rangers around, yesterday's top versus bottom clash showed that it is not necessarily all doom and gloom.

The result was expected to be a foregone conclusion -- Southampton, who had parted company with their coach last weekend, were just there to make up the numbers and Village would have no problems consolidating their lead at the head of the table. But you shouldn't always believe everything you read.

That it took until almost the 80th minute for the Red Devils to break the deadlock, and then via an own goal, was testament to the performance of the bottom-placed side.

Rangers fought hard in defence, did their best to shackle the midfield and created enough chances of their own up front, without really working Village's keeper, to have got at least a draw.

New coach, Edgar Smith, a whirling dervish of activity on the touchline, was critical of the way the deciding goal was conceded -- a high free kick into the box which substitute Wayne Raynor diverted past his own keeper -- but was happy with the work effort of his side.

"We definitely deserved a point out of this one,'' he said. "Just one defensive lapse cost us -- it was a crucial time to give away a goal.

"I know my team played hard but they must come to realise that whenever a ball is knocked into the box somebody has to offer a challenge -- you just cannot stand and allow the ball to go past you. Nobody offered a challenge and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

"We had plenty of chances at the other end, but we just did not capitalise on them. We didn't really test the North Village goalkeeper.'' Late own goal sinks Rangers From Page 37 Smith, who has said that his side will have a balance of youth and experience, singled out 17-year-old debutant Stevon Bailey for praise.

"I was very, very pleased with Stevon. He gave us 100 percent. His ability on the ball and distribution was very good.

"He's a bit young and a bit green but I know he will deliver the goods as time goes on.'' Village coach, Scott Morton, was highly critical of his side's performance in the FA Cup last week but was happier yesterday, despite the lowly ranking of his opponents.

"It's good to have a battle sometimes,'' he said. "When your team's back is against the wall that's when you can really see what they have to give individually and collectively.'' In an always competitive match, Village should have taken the lead in the 32nd minute. How they didn't only the two players involved will know.

Firstly, Dwight Warren struck the post from about six yards out and then when the ball reached Quincy Paynter he conspired to strike the crossbar from even closer in.

Two minutes after the break it was Rangers' Rohaan Simons' turn to hold his head in his hands. Having escaped the defence, he zoned in on goal only to shoot straight at the keeper.

Jawan Thomas saw his header cleared off the line by Southampton's Craig Darrell and then Goater cleared the bar again, falling backwards as he shot.

The decisive moment came with 78 minutes on the clock.

Oscar Riley gave away a foul on the left and when Kevin Jennings played in an inviting high cross, confusion reigned in the Rangers' box.

The Devils' Jamaul Boyles appeared to connect with a header, but referee, Anthony Mouchette, adjudged the last touch to have come from Raynor before the ball crossed the line.

Despite the outcome, coach Smith was able to take heart from the performance: "I think we have potential to go places,'' he said. "There's no need to put our heads down. We will continue to work hard to build a good, constructive, technical team.'' North Village: N.Steede; J.Simons; R.Spence, J.Thomas, D.Thomas; S.Goater (J.Boyles, 70 mins); M.Dill; K.Binns; Q.Paynter; D.Warren; D.Whitfield (K.Jennings, 60 mins).

Southampton: R.Darrell; A.Tucker; J.Raynor; S.Simmons; R.Simmons; S.Ming; K.Tucker (O.Riley, 33 mins); C.Darrell; S.Bailey (W.Raynor, 66 mins); R.Simons; T.Flood.

Men of match: M.Dill (Village); J.Raynor (Rangers).

Referee: A.Mouchette.

Yellow cards: J.Thomas (Village); R.Simmons; A.Tucker; C.Darrell; J.Raynor; O.Riley (All Rangers).

Photos by Tony Cordeiro Hold up: Quincy Paynter of North Village (foreground) tries to prevent Rangers' Antoine Tucker from getting in a challenge.

Debut boy: Rangers' newcomer, teenager Stevon Bailey (left) challenges Donald Whitfield of North Village during yesterday's clash at Bernard Park. Village won 1-0.