Champions Vasco got their campaign to win a third successive title back on track at Southampton Oval yesterday, leaving Rangers without a victory or a point after three games.

Goals from Kuma Smith and Chris Anderson earned the visitors all three points, but they were forced to hang on with 10 men for the last 17 minutes because of a lack of substitutes.

Rangers had enough chances to have won the game, but managed to find the net only in the first minute of injury time, through their liveliest player Craig Darrell.

Vasco will be concerned that the effect of a summer exodus of players which whittled down their squad is beginning to show so early in the season.

Their only substitute yesterday, Jamel Smith, had already come on by the time defender Clifford Roberts was stretchered off with a facial cut and bruising from an aerial challenge in the 73rd minute.

Albert Caisey had been listed as a second reserve, but had called at the last minute to say he had still not recovered from an injury, according to stand-in coach Dennis Robinson.

The first half started quietly and the first real chance fell to Vasco's Keith Jennings in the 12th minute.

Rangers' defence was late in pushing out and left Jennings on-side to run on to Derek Stapley's through ball. Jennings shot to the near post, but Rangers' keeper Michael Higgs dived to his left to tip it wide.

Rangers were enjoying most of the possession and nearly took the lead when Neville Grant crossed from the right, but inches too high for Oscar Riley at the far post.

But it was Vasco who took the lead on 25 minutes, when the Rangers defence froze and failed to cut out a free kick from deep, leaving Kuma Smith to side-step Higgs and tap into the empty net.

Rangers could have been level two minutes later, when Sheridan Ming's inch perfect pass sent Ian Mullings clear, but the striker made a hash of his first-time shot.

Darrell threatened for Rangers twice within 60 seconds early in the second half.

First his 12-yard effort was beaten away by Figureido after an excellent move involving Dillas and Ming in the 47th minute. Then Darrell showed superb balance to weave his way though a crowded penalty area, before seeing his shot blocked.

Two minutes later, it was Vasco who missed a glorious opportunity, when Jennings flicked wide with the outside of his foot from six yards after a precise left-wing cross from Chris Anderson.

The visitors' second goal arrived in the 65th minute, when Jennings deftly headed on a long ball to put Anderson in the clear. The striker made no mistake, his left-footed volley carrying sufficient power to creep in even after Higgs had got a full hand to it.

Rangers threatened more after the departure of the injured Roberts gave them a numerical advantage.

Figureido denied Ming and Dillas, before Darrell finally struck in the 91st minute, lashing home a crisp, left-footed shot after a fine pass from Travis Wilkinson.

Rangers: M.Higgs, G.Neville, P.Brangman, J.Raynor, S.Ming, D.Charles (Y.Bean 85 mins), O.Riley (N.Smith 53 mins), C.Darrell, H.Dillas, R.Belboda, I.Mullings (T.Wilkinson 53 mins).

Vasco: T.Figureido, D.Stapley, T.Dickenson, C.Roberts, J.Belboda, W.Augustus, K.Smith, K.Burchall, K.Jennings, C.Anderson, A.Tyrell (J.Smith 63 mins).

Men of the match: Craig Darrell (Rangers); Keenan Burchall (Vasco).

Referee: George O'Brien Yellow cards: Oscar Riley, Travis Wilkinson (Rangers); Art Tyrell, Chris Anderson (Vasco).

Rec cards: None.