A Chad Applegate strike in the final 10-minutes lifted Rangers to a 3-2 victory over crosstown rivals Saints at Eden St Oval on Saturday.
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The goal broke the hearts of Saints players, who had rallied from 2-0 down to level the scores.
It marked Applegate's second goal of the contest, as he extended Rangers' lead early in the second half after Brett Morn broke the deadlock in the first half.
Rangers coach Chris Walker was full of praise for Applegate, who he claims brings much more to the team than goal scoring.
"It's very handy having a player of Chad's ability in the team," Walker told the Argus.
"It's not just the goals, he's very good at bringing others into the game. Chad has the speed to chase down a through ball but he also has the strength and skill to hold the ball up and play it to Brett, Sean or whoever is in space."
Walker believes the Rangers created the better opportunities, dictated the pace of the game and deserved the three competition points.
"We slowly eased our way into the game but after the opening exchanges we were able to control the game," Walker said.
"We were threatening in attack and our defence was solid. We restricted them to long range efforts or crosses into the box for the majority of the game."
However, a lapse in concentration for a 10-minute period in the second half almost proved costly for Macleay Valley.
A Saints through ball resulted in Kurtis Smith grabbing a goal back before Nick Wright calmly chipped Rangers goal keeper John Clancy, after he was first to a bouncing ball in behind the Rangers defence.
Despite conceding two goals in quick succession, Walker admits he remained confident his side would be able to recapture the lead before full-time.
"There was still around 15-minutes to go in the game and we had been creating chances on goal and I thought we still had one in us," Walker said.
Time proved Walker was correct, as Applegate latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the 18-yard-box and fired it into the top right hand corner of the net.
The win keeps Rangers in contention with the second placed Port Saints while the defeat for Kempsey leaves them in the midst of a three-way battle for fifth.
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