The game played on a poor surface lacked the normal passion, commitment and the atmosphere of a derby with Town feeling they had enough chances to win the game but were punished by a brilliant strike late in the game.

    Afterwards a delighted Rangers manager, Joe Keenan said “I would have been happy with a draw as it would have been fair result but what a goal by Boyd, I’m delighted with the win.”

    Town’s Stephen Dolan was very disappointed, “We should have won this game, the chances were there and we didn’t take them. The position we are in is down to the players, they have got to have more commitment but Boyd’s goal was a good one.” he said.

    The game never reached any great heights as Town went 1-0 ahead after eight minutes when a long ball had Rangers central defender, Dessie Kerr in all sorts of problems as he failed to control the ball allowing Graham Breen through to place his shot under keeper John Pedan to the net.

    The scores were level within three minutes when Rangers won a throw in level with the edge of the penalty area on the left. Michael Kerr’s long throw saw keeper Michael McGovern come for the ball only to flap at it with the ball dropping to Roger Howe who slipped the ball past a defender to hit a left foot shot into top corner past two defenders on the line.

    Rangers went ahead when a good run down the right flank by Joe Keenan, ended with the evergreen player manager slipping the ball past Matthew Holden to Boyd who hit a first time shot over keeper McGovern to the net for 2-1.

    Town responded well and levelled the scores when the Rangers defence failed to clear and Martin McGourty drove a low shot from 25 yards into the bottom right hand corner past Pedan for 2-2. Town had two efforts from Paul Judge in the closing stages of the half with the game fizzling out with neither side looking like scoring.

    In the second half Town looked the more likely to get the winner as McGourty unleashed a shot which Pedan did well to push over for a corner. Rangers did have one good effort on the hour as Boyd hit a volley from point blank range at the keeper with McGovern making a brilliant save, pushing the ball over the bar for a corner.

    Town had the better of the closing stages as Breen had his shot saved by Pedan. John Tapster then put Paul Judge in and he failed to find the target and Matthew Holden rounded several challenges before slicing his shot wide.

    Boyd then received the ball on the edge of the area while being tightly marked by two defenders with his back to goal. The former Town player then swivelled and hit a curling left foot shot over the head of keeper McGovern on the six yard line for a goal to grace any game and collect the three points for Rangers.

    Town still had a great opportunity to draw the game when Paul Judge received the ball with time and space but somehow he hit his shot wide of the left hand post when it looked likely he would score.