Southampton Rangers' dismal run continued as they fell to a second half goal in this Coca Cola First Division clash at Somerset yesterday.

Joint league leaders just last month, Rangers followed up their embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Second Division Social Club last week with another lacklustre performance.

Michael Brangman netted the decisive goal half way through the second half to give Trojans deserved reward for their territorial superiority.

And it could have been a bigger victory but for Trojans' poor finishing and a reluctance throughout the team to take responsibility for shooting at goal.

Rangers started as if they intended to put their woeful form of late behind them. Rohaan Simons tested Trojans goalkeeper Keenan Tucker in the 11th minute, running onto a through ball as a static defence waited for an offside flag which never came. The tight angle made it a difficult chance and Tucker saved comfortably. Seconds later Sheridan Ming stole behind the Trojans defence, but shot straight at Tucker.

But it was Somerset who took control after weathering the early storm, dominating the rest of the first half with Sean Simmons making consistently good use of the ball in midfield.

It was Simmons who came closest to a goal before the break, in the 18th minute, when his superbly struck, right-footed free kick from 30 yards smacked against the crossbar with Rangers goalkeeper Randy Darrell beaten.

Trojans' only other first-half opportunities originated from Rangers' mistakes. First 'keeper Darrell played the ball straight to Brangman, who shot across the face of goal and then Ryan Belboda's mis-kick played in David Burchall, who hesitated, allowing Belboda to win the ball back before he could get a shot in.

With Rangers lacking attacking ideas and relying too heavily on Simons, Trojans were able to pile on more pressure after the break.

Sean Simmons' clever free kick gave Dion Woolridge a clear shot from 15 yards, but he fired high over the bar. Then Darrell was called into action again, scrambling at his near post to save Burchall's angled drive, after Brangman's deep cross had caught the Rangers defence napping.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 67th minute, when Burchall climbed well to nod down a long ball into the path of Brangman, who slammed the ball home from 10 yards.

Six minutes later it should have been 2-0 but Richard Scott, unmarked at the far post and six yards out, hooked high over the bar after Andrew Rahman's corner had been flicked on by Burchall.

Somerset played with more confidence late in the game and the pace of substitutes Jelani Scott and Rodney Bascome gave them a sharper cutting edge.

Bascome missed a great chance to seal the points when he raced onto a clever flick by Brangman, but shot wide from 15 yards.

Rangers mounted a late rally and in the final minute there was mayhem in the Trojans penalty area. Pernell Brangman's up-and-under was gathered safely by goalkeeper Tucker, who was fouled by Simons. Arguments broke out and a fracas involving half the players on the pitch followed.

Referee Gary Cooke restored ordered by booking two players, Simons of Rangers and Rahman of Trojans. Also cautioned for running onto the pitch without Cooke's permission was Somerset trainer Gary Mallory.

Somerset: K.Tucker, K.Roberts, R.Scott, A.Rahman, D.Burchall (R.Bascome 76 mins), A.Tucker, D.Woolridge, K.Simmons, M.Brangman, S.Mendes (J.Scott 62 mins), S.Simmons.

Rangers: R.Darrell, D.Charles, A.Tucker (N.Grant 65 mins), P.Brangman, R.Belboda, V.Ball (R.Brunson 77 mins), C.Simmons, S.Ming (T.Wilkinson 62 mins), C.Darrell, R.Simons, K.Tucker. Men of the match: Sean Simmons (Trojans), R.Belboda (Rangers).

Referee: Gary Cooke.