The Isle of Man FA senior men’s representative side has been knocked out of the FA Inter-League Cup by the Cheshire League.

The Men went down 2-1 to their English counterparts at the Bowl on Saturday evening to end their interest in this season’s competition.

The hosts went close to opening the scoring when captain Frank Jones smashed a long-range shot against the post early in the first half.

But it was the visitors who took the lead when the unfortunate Matty Woods gave away a penalty which was blasted home by the impressive Nathan Southern.

The same player was at it again soon after when he flicked a low cross goalwards which deflected into the back of the Manx net to give the away side a two-goal cushion at half-time.

The introduction of Chris Bass Jr sparked the hosts into life in the second half and, after Furo Davies had hit the post, Bass’s pinpoint corner allowed Alex Harrison to head home and halve the deficit before the hour mark.

The Men set about searching for an equaliser and pressed Cheshire back into their own half, but some rare wayward shooting by the hosts meant the score stayed the same.

Several chances went begging but the Isle of Man thought they should have had two penalties late on when first Jones’ shot was cleared off the line apparently by a defender’s hand, before the Manx skipper was sent tumbling in the box but Jones was booked for simulation instead.

The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations amongst the visiting faithful who avenged the 9-1 defeat that the Isle of Man inflicted on them the last time the sides met.

Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.