LAST season's top sides from Division Four met at Crystal Park last Saturday for their first encounter in Division Three.
After a slow start to the season by the Banbridge side it was vital to take points from this game. In front of a large home support Rangers started the brighter with Scott Ward dominating proceedings in midfield while Ferris and Nicky Ireland were leading the line well upfront.
The first chance of the game came on 10 minutes when a cross from McCahon on the left flank found Ireland but his effort was well saved as Rangers pressed for an early advantage.
Both sides struggled to find any fluidity with their passing and the game began to get quite heated at times with some heavy tackles flying around, one of which resulted in a free being awarded to Rangers on the left hand side of the field.
A whipped cross from McMinn was then met by the towering Chambers at the far post who had the vision to pick out Ferris with a reverse header and he duly obliged from two yards to give the Banbridge team the lead.
Now seemingly in control and approaching half time, Rangers manager Noble was shellshocked to see his side then come in to the break behind as first Bailey drew level with their first effort on goal and on the stoke of half time they grabbed the lead when the Rangers defence froze awaiting a referee's decision which was not forthcoming.
Sommerville, playing up front for the Dungannon side, raced through to send his team into the lead.
After regrouping the Rangers side then began to dominate more and were impressive down the left with both Wilkinson and Ferris linking well. It was this combination that led to a cross being delivered to Ireland who first controlled the ball before deceptively swiveling his marker and poking the ball home to draw level.
This work was then undone as Bailey again swept forward in a counter attack and regained the lead as the Rangers defence were again punished for being off guard.
With only 15 minutes remaining other sides may have been down and out but the battling qualities of Scott Ward in the Rangers midfield continued to flourish and when he won the ball in a midfield tussle he slipped it to McCahon who, from 20 yards out, found the top corner to again draw his side level.
Roared on now by the home support and confidence flowing the Banbridge side went all out in search of victory. With five minutes left Wayne McBride at right back went on the overlap and when Cousins fed him the ball he delivered a pinpoint cross to Ireland at the back post who headed home to the delight of his teammates.
This was a fine comeback from the home side and when McCahon won a penalty in injury time Ireland should have grabbed his hat trick but the keeper saved well.
This didn't take any shine off a fine result for a Rangers team who must now take this confidence with them next week when they travel to Belfast to play Queen's.
Best for the home side on Saturday were Nicky Ireland and Scott Ward.