Southampton Rangers were yesterday relegated from the Premier Division after they tumbled to defeat at the hands of Trojans at Southampton Oval.

After flirting with the drop for most of the season, they finally succumbed with a whimper.

It was a poor game by anyone's standards. Two teams bereft of ideas, unable at times to string two passes together, lacking in unity and on occasions possessing blatant disrespect for those on the bench.

It took until the 36th minute for anyone to get the ball on target -- Dwight Basden cleaning up from eight yards after a right-wing cross had been deflected into his path.

The goal stirred some life into Rangers but although they created two chances -- Randy Simmons swinging and missing when well placed in the six-yard box and Lamar Seymour seeing his low drive saved -- they never really looked like threatening Timmy Figuerido's goal.

The second half was equally scrappy. Rangers' fate was finally sealed in the 56th minute, Rodney Bascome unleashing a howitzer into the top right hand corner of Jason Williams' net after a clearance had struck Somerset's Dwayne Basden in the face and bounced kindly.

Southampton coach Edgar Smith said it was a sad day for the people of the parish.

"Up here we have a very high pedigree of accomplishments down through the years and we never really settle for second best or for relegation,'' he said.

"We know we have to go back and rebuild with our youngsters. We are going to try and set up a programme next year for our team and gel the youngsters around the senior players.

"There is no need to throw the towel in by any means. All we have to do is continue to work hard to build a stronger team. If we want to play in the Premier Division we just know we have to improve.'' Smith, who took over as coach midway through the season, denied that the die had been cast before his arrival.

"I think we had every opportunity to fight this to the very end. I feel that overall we just didn't give it our all. That's what happens, if you don't give your all you are going to come out on the losing end,'' he said.

"In no way whatsoever did I think it was a foregone conclusion. We had every opportunity. Every Sunday you go out there you have an opportunity to win a match and there is no excuse whatsoever for this -- we need to go back and work and represent the parish of Southampton in a better manner.'' Asked if he would still be at the helm when next season comes around, Smith said: "I hope to be still here -- unless they don't want me anymore.

"If they don't want me anymore I'll leave, but I intend staying. I'm not going to jump ship just because of this, no way.'' Somerset midfielder Karl Roberts said it had been a vital victory for his side -- the win moving them above Devonshire Cougars to third from bottom.

"I guess it was either winning today or maybe settling for relegation,'' he said. "I think we were a little bit stronger. They had a lot of young guys and we were able to capitalise on the experience in our team.'' Asked if he felt sympathy for Rangers, Roberts referred to the fact that they only escaped the drop last term because Vasco da Gama folded.

"They should have gone down last year,'' he said, before adding, "They have a good youth programme so hopefully they'll come back up.'' Rangers: J.Williams; S.Simmons; O.Raynor; P.Brangman; R.Belboda; R.Simmons; L.Seymour; J.Raynor (R.Rhones, 70); C.Darrell; T.Flood (K.Tucker, 60); W.Raynor.

Somerset: T.Figuerido; G.Butterfield; J.Martin; R.Scott; K.Roberts; T.Mallory; D.Burchall; Dwight Basden; R.Bascome; Dwayne Basden; D.Simmons (A.Hendrickson, 79).

Bookings: R.Belboda, W.Raynor (Rangers). Men of the match: It would be unfair to make such a distinction.

Referee: C.Simons.