NORTHERN Rangers have moved to the top of the Victory League with an upset 3-1 away win against reigning champion South Hobart.
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Nick Lanau-Atkinson was proving an early handful for his marker, Curran Ferns, who entered the book in the 17th minute for a shove on the speedy winger.
Lanau-Atkinson almost opened the scoring minutes later when he rounded the keeper, but had his shot cleared off the line.
Ferns were not deterred by his first yellow card and he picked up a second for another push on Lanau- Atkinson in the 24th minute, leaving the home side with 10 men.
Hugh Undy was brought on for South, but it was Rangers who hit the lead when Aidan Rigby's shot came off the upright and was turned in by Ryan McCarragher four minutes before half-time.
Rangers continued to press after the restart and should have gone ahead from the spot after being awarded a penalty. However, Shane Brassington missed a double chance when his first shot was blocked by the keeper and his follow up effort hit the crossbar and went out.
Adam Edwards got in on the crossbar act, chipping the keeper only to see his shot rebound off the bar and away from goals.
A long range free kick allowed Brassington to redeem his penalty miss when he struck a shot into the bottom right in the 71st minute to make it 2-0.
The striker was involved in Rangers' third goal two minutes later after his shot was saved by the keeper only for Lanau-Atkinson to tap in the deflection at the back post.
South Hobart earned a consolation goal in the 87th minute, Ben Hamlett playing a nice one-two with Brayden Mann before tucking his shot in the bottom left corner.