A thrilling second half comeback saw FC Isle of Man maintain their unbeaten start to the 2026-27 North West Counties Football League Premier Division season against Ramsbottom United on Saturday evening.

Two goals from Charlie Higgins and a winner from Dean Pinnington saw Lee Dixon's side turn round a 0-2 deficit to claim all three points at the Bowl.

In a first half of few chances, the best opening for the home side fell the way of Jimmy Lowther, but his side footed half-volley sailed over Reece Trueman's bar.

An uncharacteristic mistake from Ravens centre-back Karl Clark - when he failed to connect properly with a clearance - led to chaos at the back for the Manx side before Gareth Hill bundled home to give Ramsbottom the lead.

Trailing at the half-time break, FC Isle of Man manager Dixon made a couple of changes as Adam Adebiyi – who had put in a good shift up front but was isolated for large parts - and Lowther were replaced by Charlie Higgins and Ste Whitley.

Higgins immediately showed his quality as he danced through two challenges and teed up Freddie O'Donoghue, but his shot was saved by Trueman.

FC Isle of Man's Jacob Crook (right) goes shoulder to shoulder with a Ramsbottom opponent during the weekend's clash at the Bowl (Photo: Hannah McHugh)
FC Isle of Man's Jacob Crook (right) goes shoulder to shoulder with a Ramsbottom opponent during the weekend's clash at the Bowl (Photo: Hannah McHugh) (Hannah McHugh)

To compound matters for the home side, Ramsbottom doubled their lead moments later as the Ravens were caught out by a quick free-kick, with Hill turning home in an almost carbon copy of his close effort from the first half to make it 0-2 to the visitors.

In response, Dixon made his third change of the game as he introduced Tomas Brown to replace O'Donoghue and it wasn’t long before the Peel striker made his presence felt.

Only three minutes later, FC Isle of Man halved the deficit when Brown did well to close down a clearance, with the ball then being played out wide to Whitley who crossed and found Higgins who headed home to make it 1-2.

Moments later Higgins had his second and the Ravens were level when he connected with Pinnington's corner.

The ball was seemingly cleared as it travelled into the net, but the assistant signalled it had crossed the line and all of a sudden the teams were all square again.

The turnaround was completed in the 71st minute when Callum Sherry combined well with Whitley out wide and his cross was fizzed along the six yard line, with Pinnington scoring a diving header at the back post to make it 3-2 to the Ravens.

FC Isle of Man goalkeeper Adam Killey then pulled off a great save to deny Ramsbottom an equaliser when he was left exposed to a counter attack, but he did brilliantly to deny the away side and get the ball cleared.

Ravens defender Alex Maitland (left) challenges for a header against an opponent during Saturday's Premier Division contest at the national stadium (Photo: Hannah McHugh)
Ravens defender Alex Maitland (left) challenges for a header against an opponent during Saturday's Premier Division contest at the national stadium (Photo: Hannah McHugh) (Hannah McHugh)

In added time Higgins had a late chance to make it 4-2 after great work from Brown, but he fluffed his lines.

Fortunately though, that miss didn't matter as the final whistle soon signalled victory for the Man side which made it an impressive return of seven points from the opening three games of the new season.

- FC Isle of Man will be back in action this evening (Tuesday) when they travel away at fellow unbeaten side Droylsden.