Rangers snatch dramatic victory while Alderney hold the leaders

Chris Tardif’s men scored twice in stoppage time to come back from 2-1 down against the visitors, and the 3-2 win means they go level on points with both North and Rovers in the table, who sit third and fourth respectively.

‘That game has definitely added a few grey hairs for me, but I am delighted for the players to win in that fashion,’ said Tardif.

‘Those sort of results will give them the self belief and the never say die attitude, so it’s a huge win.’

Sylvans were first to strike in Saturday’s affair after 20 minutes, as Tiago Rodrigues drove a low ball across the area which Rangers defender Nick Trebert turned into his own net.

The away team did not lead for long, though, as Steve Renouf hit a fine equaliser for Rangers eight minutes later.

Tardif’s team had a number of chances following the restart, with George Goubert and Renouf both going close, but it was Sylvans who would get the next goal, as young Zach Gilman met Rodrigues’ cross to put the ball in the back of the net.

Jon Collenette’s side looked like they would be leaving the KGV with three points in the bag, but Steffan Timms had other ideas as he struck late on from close range to make it 2-2.

Rangers would not settle for just a point, either, and Goubert came in from the left to strike a deflected effort into the roof of the net to give his side the victory.

‘Sometimes those sorts of wins feel a lot better than they should, because our performance was not good enough and Sylvans will feel very hard done by that they have not taken anything out of that game,’ said Tardif.

‘Our passing was very poor in the first half and we did not really get going.

‘I said to the guys that we can work on things like technique, patterns of play and so on as much as possible, but what we can not help with is passion and the desire to win – that is all on them and they proved that they have it.

‘George Goubert in the second half was the best I have seen him in terms of impact and decision-making, and he deserved that final goal.

‘Shane Billien also deserves recognition, because his attitude has been first class ever since I came in and his determination was fantastic yet again.

‘We have a run of home games and it’s important to pick up as many points as possible.’

Elsewhere on Saturday, Alderney put in a strong defensive display to pick up their first point of the season at home to leaders Vale Rec.

The hosts, who have been boosted by the return of former skipper Ross Benfield in recent weeks, limited Rec’s chances in the first period and hit the crossbar at the other end.

Vale Rec did go close on two occasions, though, with Jacques Wilcox hitting a powerful left-footed effort just wide, and Sammy Goddard striking the post from just inside the box.

Clear-cut opportunities continued to be few and far between after the restart, but a moment of magic from Liam Connor gave the home team the lead midway through the second half, as his volley from outside the box went beyond a sea of bodies and into the bottom right corner.

The league leaders began to play with more intent after going a goal down and Louis Travis missed a big chance to equalise from close range.

Seb Skillen won a penalty for Rec not long after, but James Taylor made an impressive stop to deny Damien Larkin from 12 yards.

Larkin soon redeemed himself, though, and poked home to put his team on level terms with just over 10 minutes to play.

Rec had a penalty shout turned down with a few minutes to go after Luke Gaudion went down in the area, and the home team managed to survive a late onslaught from Romeril’s men to claim their first Priaulx point for 14 months.