DEEPING Rangers moved up to third with a convincing win over local rivals Bourne Town who had two players red-carded at Outgang Road on Monday.
The first half finished goalless as both keepers pulled off top class saves but the game took a turn when The Wakes were reduced to 10 men before half time.
Sam Kirton was dismissed with a straight red for kicking out at a Deeping's player and wit
hin a minute of the restart Dan Holyoak gave the hosts the lead firing home from outside the box.
Two late goals from Ben Porter and Mark Paul sealed Bourne's fate as they continue a dismal run and ended the contest with nine men.
Dan Jarman stretched full length to turn away a curling shot from Mark Paul before Danny Bircham pulled off a fine save to keep out Rob Masters' header as the tempo built up towards half time.
Dan Holyoak had a header from a porter corner blocked on the line by Adam Jackson.
Bourne remained very much in the game despite Deeping's man advantage, and Bircham did well to adjust his position after a long range effort from Jackson took a wicked deflection.
The 10 men of Bourne frustrated their hosts for long periods but Jarman was the busier keeper, and once Bourne were reduced to nine men it was only a matter of time before another goal was scored.
With 19 minutes remaining Adam Jackson was shown a second yellow for a foul on J-P Duncliffe and in the closing minutes Rangers scored two more goals.
In the 89th minute Mark Paul flicked the ball on for substitute James Stubbs to crash his shot against the post and Ben Porter was quickest to react shooting into the top of the Wakes net to give Rangers a cushion.
With the seconds ticking away Deeping's Spencer Tinkler was brought down by Tony Brooks Mark Paul kept his composure to slot the ball home and give Rangers all three points.
Rangers boss Pat Rayment was delighted with his side's attitude in the game.
He said: "I was really pleased. We put in a very solid all round performance and there are not too many times I can say that. I was pleased with everything they did and shows that if we compete we get results."
On Kirton's red card, he said: "It was the right decision. It was blatant and right in front of the referee."
The result leave Bourne, who face St Ives at the Abbey lawn at 3pm on Saturday, in 14th, towards the bottom of a mid-table pack.
Deeping Rangers host Desborough Town with a 3pm kick off on Saturday.
* Deeping: Danny Bircham, John-Paul Duncliffe, Ben Porter, Matt Porter, Dan Holyoak, Michael Goode (Danny Hussey), Michael Stevenson, Spencer Tinkler, Mark Paul, Sam Bettinson (James Stubbs), Scott Musgrove. Sub not used: Jimmy Dean.
* Bourne: Dan Jarman, Owen Smith (Rob Masters), Giulliano Staffieri (Tony Pascu), Nathan Stainfield, Chris Parr, Keith Gray, Addie Staffieri, Sam Kirton, Stacy Cartwright (Tony Brooks), Ian Dunn, Adam Jackson.
