A spirited second half comeback from FC Isle of Man fell just short on Wednesday night as the Ravens lost 3-2 away at West Didsbury & Chorlton.
Facing a Did side in the thick of the play-off hunt, the Ravens found themselves three goals down in Manchester after a Ben Elliott double and a Kaleb Parkinson opener before Ste Whitley and captain Michael Williams pulled them back into it.
Kaleb Parkinson opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he was played in behind and slotted past Adam Killey as the officials dismissed claims for an offside.
Ben Elliott doubled the advantage just before the half-hour mark after some incisive play from the Dids midfield to leave it 2-0 at half time.
Despite some openings for the Ravens, including from new signing Will Decandia, striker Luke Booth and defender Carl Clark, the Ravens were unable to find a way through.
Jack Banister then seemed to put the result beyond doubt, making it 3-0 with a speculative effort from range in the 74th minute.
However, two goals in the final seven minutes almost turned a challenging evening into a great comeback for Rick Holden’s side.
Stephen Whitley calmly converted a penalty in the 83rd minute after Jamie Cadwallader was brought down by keeper Oliver Martin.
Cadwallader then did well to win a corner minutes later, which Whitley crossed for Michael Williams to head home and open the door to a dramatic finale.
The Ravens are next in action this Saturday January 24 when we welcome South Liverpool to The Bowl.
