It was a case of last minute heartbreak for FC Isle of Man as Stockport Town nicked a last minute winner on Bank Holiday Monday.
Defeat leaves the Ravens 13th in the NWCFL Premier Division.
Old habits proved that they die hard for the Ravens when Town scored inside the first minute as a long free kick wasn’t dealt with, allowing Dan Lewis to nod the home side in front.
Town continued to pile on the pressure with Ethan Hawley doing well to block an attempt at the back post that could have seen them double their lead inside four minutes.
It probably should have been 2-0 soon after but Lewis put his effort wide after being picked out from a cross.
Paul Jones’ side did finally get a grip on the game and could have been level in the 24th minute when Charlie Higgins nipped in to a ball over the defence.
He went round Cian O’Shea in the Town goal and stayed on his feet despite clear contact, but he could only put his effort wide of the far post.
As the Ravens began to create more going forward, Sean Doyle did well to get on the end of a ball from Dean Pinnington, but his cross was just beyond Higgins.
Higgins was in the middle of the action soon again as Doyle nodded down Callum Sherry’s free kick with Higgins unfortunate to see his shot hit the post after a good swivel and turn to get a shot away.
Before the half was out Doyle, the Ravens fans and even their coach driver were convinced they should have had a penalty as the skipper looked to get on the end of a cross but was shoved over in the box, with the officials unmoved.
Sam Baines had the first real effort of the second half, with his 30 yard driver being well held by O’Shea, quickly followed by an attempt from Ste Whitley that went just high and wide.
The Ravens pressure would finally pay off when Pinnington latched on to a through ball and whipped a brilliant cross in to the middle with Doyle just having to glance the ball into the far corner, 1-1.
It was a game of few chances for either side from there on, with Pinnginton’s free kick the biggest threat to the Town goal.
Town would grab the win late on as the Ravens expected an offside flag that wasn’t going to come, Jamie Walsh was able to stab home a winner that condemned FC Isle of Man to a fourth defeat in their opening seven games.
The Ravens, now sitting 13th, will head to Colne on Saturday ahead of a midweek clash away at Prestwich Heys next Tuesday.
