FC Isle of Man’s historic maiden game in the English non-league system ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.

Chris Bass Sr’s Ravens made the best possible start to their North West Counties First Division South encounter at Manchester outfit Maine Road, taking a ninth-minute lead.

Skipper Frank Jones fired in the Manx club’s first competitive goal, slotting past Maine Road keeper Pete Monteith after breaking clear and latching onto a through ball.

The St Mary’s midfielder’s strike capped a dominant opening 10 minutes from the Ravens who made a very encouraging start to proceedings at Brantingham Road.

The hosts grew into the game their cause aided by the influential Jones’s withdrawal with a suspected knee injury midway through the opening half.

Indeed Jamie Roe half-volleyed the home team back level from distance in the 40th minute after being found by a knock down from targetman Reece Lyndon.

The second half took a while to get going, but burst into life in the 66th minute when Dan Simpson was felled in the Maine Road box.

Corinthians club-mate Set Whitley had the chance to restore the islanders’ lead from the spot but saw his penalty saved by Monteith.

Both teams tried to grab a winner in a frantic, end-to-end finish to the match.

Ravens’ keeper Dean Kearns was called into action twice to preserve the point during a lengthy spell of time added on that followed a head injury to Monteith.

Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Examiner.