On a day where neither Sure Mobile Premier League side particularly impressed in front of goal it was Nick Hurt's westerners that bagged all three points to go 10th in the table and ease the relegation concerns at Balleira Road.

The surprisingly calm and still conditions in Braddan hinted some good flowing football might be on the cards, but on a soggy and slippery surface the game became a scrappy affair.

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In a match that was end to end from start to finish it was the hosts that came out of the blocks firing early on. A good header back across the area by Chris Kelly almost set up team-mate Michael Shimmin for the opener in the third minute only for him to blast narrowly wide.

Millers defender Richard Cannell had to be at his best shortly afterwards with a great tackle to deny western hitman Mike Hammond, and from the resulting play the Aces took the lead just seconds later.

Some scrappy play in the hosts' penalty area saw the ball roll back to striker Moffat 20 yards from goal who proceeded to send his low shot through a crowd of players and in off the post to put Michael 1-0 ahead.

Shimmin came close at the other end to almost draw the sides level five minutes later before resident goal machine Sam Caine was left red-faced after somehow scuffing his shot an at open goal wide after already beating the defender and keeper.

However, the first of two controversial penalties was awarded by referee Peter Beighton in the 21st minute after he adjudged Michael Perks to have fouled Caine and duly pointed to the spot.

The usually lethal David Thommeny stepped up but laced his spot-kick past Gary Burgess's right-hand post as Michael maintained their one-goal advantage and the Millers player held his face in his hands.

A series of yellow cards was then shown in the play that followed as the game became increasingly physical between the two evenly matched sides.

Mills's Michael Nash did brilliantly to produce two goalline clearances 10 minutes later before Burgess pulled off the first of a string of impressive saves to deny James Cannell.

Player-manager Hurt came close for Michael just before the interval with a testing free-kick and as the half-time whistle sounded Derek Cowley's side knew that they had to find that killer touch in the final third if they were to turn things around.

However, it seemed apparent from the outset of the restart that this just wasn't going to be Millers' day.

Caine burst through the defence once again just seconds after kick-off and rounded the outrushing Burgess only to lose control of the ball and push it too far wide as the home coaching staff agonised from the sidelines.

Yet still Mills pressed on and almost levelled matters 10 minutes later when their big defender Shimmin saw his headed effort cleared off the line by the industrious Michael Perks.

A wild effort followed shortly afterwards by Kelly before the Mills player came somewhat closer when he was denied by a good low save from Burgess who did well to keep out his 12-yard shot through a crowd of players after 78 minutes.

Johnny Holland looked in good form for United in the centre of the park and resident half-time substitute Michael Callister visibly injected some needed pace and energy into the game.

It was the latter's good cross from the right with two minutes to go that almost set up Thommeny to square it for the hosts only to be denied by the woodwork as the seconds ticked away.

Just when it looked as though Michael had done enough to secure maximum points Beighton spotted a tame-looking infringement in the area and pointed to the spot for the second occasion two minutes into stoppage time.

The seemingly justified complaints from the travelling team were waved away and Richard Cannell stepped up to try and level matters.

However, the penalty decision was soon forgotten when Burgess stole the show with a fabulous diving save to his right to deny Mills and spark wild celebrations from his team-mates who felt justice had been done.

The result sees Hurt's Aces climb to 10th, two points behind Colby with a staggering four games in hand while Cowley's Garey Mooar outfit must show more conviction in front of goal if they are to build on their current eighth place standing.

Union Mills: Craig Ennett, Karl Dobbin, Richard Cannell, Chris Kelly, David Hicks, Michael Shimmin (Danny McMahon, Michael Nash, James Cannell, Sam Caine, Daniel Lumb (Michael Callister 45 min), David Thommeny. Sub not used: Stephen Halsall

Michael United: Gary Burgess, Michael Perks, David Reynolds, Andrew Berry, Kevin Pulman, Johnny Holland, Richard Crowe (Dean Wales 58 min), Nick Hurt, Jamie Moffat, Mike Hammond, Michael Quine (Paul Corlett 76 min) (Chris Blackburn 81 min)

Referee Peter Beighton
Assistants Gerry Thomson, Karran Halsall
Booked Perks (Michael); Dobbin (Union Mills), Richard Cannell (Union Mills), Lumb (Union Mills), Thommeny (Union Mills)
Man of the match Gary Burgess (Michael)
Match rating 2*