The Rangers, who finished the season as minor premiers, will need to reach the grand final the hard way.

We were at the match providing live updates – see how the game panned out here.

It could be a blessing in disguise, as they avoid a situation where they would have played one game in the space of a month leading up to the decider.

“It isn’t all doom and gloom, we wanted to win and secure the grand final spot but it will be good for us to get another run,” Rangers coach Dean Riordan said after his side’s loss.

Riordan was still coming to terms with the defeat and expressed it was too early to discuss Rangers’ opponent for next week.

United were the first to score, capitalising on a strong run down the left edge.

The ball was cutback to a United player who was waiting inside the 18-yard-box and he gave Rangers’ goalkeeper Shaun Glover no chance.

The Rangers hit back prior to the half-time break from the penalty spot.

A Port United player was ruled to have handballed inside the box and Rangers captain Paul Thurlow sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Rangers dominated the early parts of the second half but wayward passing and their inability to create clear cut chances haunted them.

With 20-minutes remaining in the contest, United scored the winner off a corner.

There was a scramble in the box and after multiple blocked shots, the ball ricocheted into the back of the net. 

The Rangers pressed for the equaliser but their chances were restricted by desperate United defence.

Daniel Saul was the standout for Rangers, he worked hard and did his best to create chances for teammates.

Meanwhile, young gun Sam Applegate will need to be weary next week as he picked up a yellow card in the second half.

A card next week would see him ruled out for the grand final with suspension.

The Rangers will host Wallis Lakes in the preliminary final next Saturday.