Wasteful FC Isle of Man held by strugglers Colne

Ravens spurn key chances as visitors climb out of relegation zone

FC Isle of Man were left to regret spurning key chances as they were held to a 1-1 draw in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening by league strugglers Colne.

Adam Adebiyi gave 'The Ravens' the lead inside seven minutes from close range with his goal given after initially being chalked off for an offside.

Colne substitute Jude Entwistle levelled the contest on 71 minutes, smashing home a crisp half-volley after a mistake from FC IoM defender Jack McVey.

Tonight's result leaves the Islanders eight adrift of the promotion play-offs whilst a point lifts Colne off of the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone.

Having insisted his side remain in the promotion play-off fight in the build-up to tonight's game, FC Isle of Man Manager Paul Jones saw his side take an early lead after a bright start.

With seven minutes played, Callum Sherry found Dean Pinnington on the right edge of the box who fired a low effort towards goal which was parried into Adebiyi who - after a short scramble - poked the ball over the line.

The linesman's flag initially went up to deny the opener, but referee Thomas Fox overturned the call following consultation with his assistant.

Already on the scoresheet, Adebiyi was sent through on goal again in the 22nd minute, rounding Colne stopper Henry Turner only to see his low effort towards goal blocked on the line by defender Shakil Ali.

Just two minutes later another chance was spurned by the hosts - Turner parried away a Jacob Crook cross from the left into Ste Whitley whose tame effort was blocked from just a few yards out.

Six minutes before the break, FC Isle of Man felt they had a penalty claim when Colne's Samuel Holt blocked a low cross in the penalty area with the ball then appearing to ricochet up onto his arm, however the home protests were ignored by Fox.

Into the second 45 and FC Isle of Man again broke through just two minutes after the restart with Adebiyi nodding a ball into the path of Pinnington who - with Turner to beat - saw his effort denied by the outstretched leg of the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, having made a double substitution at half time, Colne began to grow in confidence as the second half wore on and were provided with a gift leading to their opener with less than 20 minutes left.

A long kick from Turner came into the path of McVey who missed his header with the ball breaking to the lively Entwistle who - one-on-one with FC IoM 'keeper, Adam Killey - fired a rasping half-volley into the bottom corner to level the game.

During a nervy final few minutes at The Bowl, Pinnington came close to a spectacular winner in the 88th minute, only to see his arrowing effort from 30 yards beat Turner but crash off the crossbar.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away at Burscough on Saturday, 1 March, kicking-off at 1.30pm.

Man of the Match: Callum Sherry (FC Isle of Man)