The return of Dan Simpson proved to be one of few highlights on a disappointing night at the Bowl.
Squires Gate ran out 2-3 winners thanks to a brace from Jack Coop and one from James Boyd.
The Ravens started the game on the front foot with Dean Pinnington’s effort from distance in the opening five minutes only just going wide before Jacob Crook was unlucky not to pick out anybody with a drilled cross after great work down the left.
Despite that it was Squires Gate who took the lead in the 16th minute as Josh Edwards got down their left and crossed to find Coop left free and able to pick his spot past Adam Killey, 0-1.
As the Ravens looked to draw level Joao Marques twice came within inches of picking out a teammate as first Crook and then Tom Creer just couldn’t get on the end of a ball flashes across the goal.
Pinnington then had two efforts blocked from the edge of the area, the first by the defence, the second a top drawer save by Josh Taylor.
Despite this frustration, the Ravens would draw level before the break as Creer’s movement saw him pop up at the back post to score from close range and make it 1-1 at halftime.
Just a minute into the second half Squires were ahead again as confusion at the back led to Jack McVey and Al Maitland colliding and knocking each other over, leaving Coop with the freedom of the Bowl to pick his spot and fire past Killey.
With the home side struggling to create much, Paul Jones introduced Charlie Higgins and Dan Simpson, who returned to the side after over a year out injured.
Despite that lifting the crowd, it was Squires who struck next to extend their lead as Killey pulled off a brilliant save from Coop to deny him his hat trick, he could do nothing as captain Boyd reacted quickest to fire into the bottom corner and make it 1-3.
Simpson then showed what the home side have been missing as he beat his man and drilled a cross to the back post, but there was no-one there to tap home.
At the other end, Thompson Ishaka, who troubled the home defence all night, did well to create space for himself, but his ingenuity was matched by Killey who kept the home side in it.
Simpson did well down the left again to get a cross over, Ben Wosser wasn’t quite able to get on the end to score, but it dropped to Higgins who fired over from inside the box.
It was copy and paste for Simpson as first his long throw and then a drilled cross both lacked an end product as he and Crook tormented the visitor’s right back.
With 81 minutes on the clock Higgins did get on the end of a Simpson cross to score from close range and set up a tense finish, 2-3.
Squires weren’t content to sit back however and it took another brilliant save from Killey to deny Coop again, just managing to flick the ball over the bar when the striker looked certain to score.
Dean Pinnington broke free from midfield late on and was through clear on goal but tried to lift it over Taylor who dealt with it with ease.
As the Ravens pushed for an equaliser, Simpson’s long throw was met with a header in the scramble at the back post, but dropped behind for a goal kick.
In the end the visitors, who started the day bottom, held out to pick up a deserved three points.
FC Isle of Man next play at the earlier time of 3pm on Saturday for the visit of Pilkington before playing Prestwich Heys less than 24 hours later at 11am on Sunday morning.
