THIS must rate as Rangers poorest display so far in what is rapidly turning into a quite disastrous season; relegation back into the District league now looks almost inevitable unless there is a dramatic improvement very soon.

Goals are becoming as scarce as well grassed senior football pitches while the defence is as leaky as a broken colander. Ashfield were no great shakes either but won in a canter. Like Dalry last week they played a direct game and had a physical presence totally lacking in the home side.

Ashfield looked the more likely side right from the kick-off and had several attempts at goal early on but it was Rangers who rather unexpectedly took a lead after 13 minutes.

Dalrymple won the ball just inside the visitors' penalty area and put a lovely chip shot over the keeper, meaning Rangers took a lead for the first time in three months. A few minutes later and Martin had a chance to make it two but his attempt skimmed the crossbar as it went over.

Ashfield came back with some more attacking play and Dukes had to come to the rescue on several occasions. There was not much in it at this stage and if Rangers had had more firepower up front they might have added to their lead.

As half-time neared a long throw-in by Ashfield gave Thomson the opportunity to level things with the home defence in a tangle. All square at the interval was a fair reflection of play.

The second half was hardly two minutes old when Ashfield went ahead with a very soft score. Another defensive lapse gave O'Donnell the chance to put in a weak shot which hit the inside of the post on its way to the net.

Rangers were hardly to be seen as an attacking force but Neville did have a cracking effort which struck the post - it deserved better.
Midway through the half and Martin added a third for Ashfield and it was as good as over,.

Rangers had given up the fight and it came as little surprise when O'Donnell made if four near the end, but by this point there were few home supporters left to witness the final humiliation.

Few players emerged with any credit from this game although some are capable of so much better; it is just a question of what has to be done to improve matters.

KILSYTH: Dukes, Scott, Carr, Doyle, Tough, Neville, D Waters, McPeake, Martin, McJimsey, Daltrymple.; subs. Kelly, L Waters, Williamson, Zok, O'Boyle.

Game this Saturday, home to Rutherglen Glencairn, West of Scotland Cup, second round. Kick-off 2pm.