Corinthians opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the Canada Life Premier League thanks to a dramatic victory over reigning champions St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.

The Whites took a first-half lead through Luke Murray’s strike just before the interval, but were then reduced to 10 men in the second half when Danny Gerrard was shown a second yellow card by referee Tommy Crowe.

St Mary’s soon capitalised through a composed finish from Steven Priestnal, but Corinthians restored their lead late on thanks to Dan Simpson’s strike.

Stephen Whitley missed a chance to make it 3-1 from the penalty spot, but then scored an excellent solo effort to wrap up the victory in injury-time.

Second-placed Rushen United now have two games in hand after their match at Ramsey fell victim to the weather.

Marown continued their fine run of form with an impressive victory at Peel, claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Matty McQuarrie and captain Cameron Avery. Billy Kennaugh netted the westerners’ consolation.

There was a controversial match at Ballafletcher where Laxey defeated Douglas Royal 5-2, with several red cards being dished out.

Royal were reduced to 10 men when young goalkeeper Harry Horbury was booked for giving away a penalty, before immediately receiving his second for encroaching off his line.

Both sides then received a red card each in the second half as Mike Fernandes netted twice for the Miners and was joined on the scoresheet by Ryan Gartland and Jordan Cooper.

There were also two red cards at Springfield Road where Douglas Athletic got the better of St John’s 4-2 thanks to strikes from Lee Ford, Ste Cowan, Reece Lake and an own goal.

The other top flight game to go ahead saw DHSOB and St George’s share four goals in a 2-2 draw at Blackberry Lane.

A couple of games were called off in JCK Division Two, but Union Mills maintained their winning ways with a 3-1 success over Colby at the Station Fields thanks to goals from Luke Booth, Jordan Crawley and Ryan Kelly. Ste Collister scored for the Moonlighters.

Two early strikes from Joe Rees and Paul Whitley set Onchan on their way to a 2-1 victory at Malew, before Paddy Cooper pulled a goal back late on at Clagh Vane.

RYCOB remain eight points behind the Millers with a game in hand courtesy of a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Castletown at Scoill Ree Gorree, while two late goals earned Braddan a high-scoring 5-3 win over a spirited Michael United at Balleira Road.

Results from Saturday, November 14:

Canada Life Premier League

DHSOB 2-2 St George’s

Douglas Athletic 4-2 St John’s

Douglas Royal 2-5 Laxey

Peel 1-2 Marown

Ramsey P-P Rushen United

St Mary’s 1-3 Corinthians

JCK Division Two

Douglas and District P-P Pulrose United

Governor’s Athletic P-P Gymns

Malew 1-2 Onchan

Michael United 3-5 Braddan

RYCOB 4-1 Castletown

Union Mills 3-1 Colby

Canada Life Combination One

Laxey P-P Douglas Royal

Marown P-P Peel

Rushen United 5-3 Ramsey

St George’s P-P DHSOB

St. John’s P-P Douglas Athletic

JCK Combination Two

Braddan P-P Michael United

Castletown P-P RYCOB

Colby 1-5 Union Mills

Gymns P-P Governor’s Athletic

Onchan P-P Malew