The first half an hour at Optus Park was dominated by the Storm who continued to hit the back of the net due to mistakes made from the home side.

"We were slow to get going in the first 25 minutes and they made us pay," Rangers coach Chris Walker told the Argus.

"There was a lot of mistakes and turnovers made and they punished us well and truly."

Sign up here for a free weekly newsletter from the Macleay Argus.

Despite the 3-0 scoreline early in the game, Rangers thought they were still a chance at half-time after Walker scored in the 35^th minute to make it 3-1.

When the ever reliable Chad Applegate slotted the ball past the opposition keeper in the 60^th minute, Rangers thought they'd be on for a comeback but it was to no avail with the men in blue and white losing 3-2 and sinking to third place after previously holding top spot two rounds ago.

"At half-time we really thought we could bring it back so it's good to see despite the loss that we continue to back ourselves during moments of adversity in game," Walker said.

Rangers will now head to Port Macquarie to play Port United this Saturday and Walker believes they won't be an easy team to play despite sitting 7^th on the ladder.

"They're a much better team than where they sit on the table, they were very strong last year and we always have a good rivalry with United," he explained.

Rangers still only sit one point behind first place with Port Saints and the Storm both on 12 points with Port coming off a 4-1 thrashing to the hands of Coffs Coast Tigers.

If Rangers were to win this weekend they'd be hoping close rivals Kempsey Saints can gain victory in their clash against Port United to aid their rise back to the top.

Rangers will also be looking for a red-hot Boambee side to draw against Northern Storm with Boambee also on 11 points in equal third.

Three charged after woman attacked and robbed

Kempsey store said to be one of the most complete outside of Sydney