Station Fields played host to a six-goal thriller on Saturday as a superb second-half fightback from Colby saw them draw 3-3 with Castletown in the southern derby.

Castletown went into the fixture on the back of a three-week break, having won their first four games of the season, while Colby lost their first match of the campaign last week, going down 1-4 to Onchan.

The away side took no time to make their presence felt in Garry Sansbury’s 400th game in charge as first team manager - Tom Moore’s excellent pass over the top caught out Colby captain Jim Gale, Nathan Cardy chesting the ball down and poking past Jay Gandy to give the visitors a first-minute lead.

The lead was doubled only one minute later. Danny Lane stretched to keep the ball in play on the byline and his low ball was met by the onrushing Cardy, whose emphatic finish into the top corner left Gandy with no chance.

Colby responded well to the two early setbacks and probed to get back into the game. Frontman Seb Spiers was lively and nearly pulled one back for the hosts when he rounded Castletown goalkeeper Greg Radcliffe, but his effort from a tight angle went just wide of the far post.

The Moonlighters soon did find themselves back in the game - Dave Caldwell played a delicate pass to Sam Woolland inside the penalty area, whose loose touch fell to Carl Hickey on the spin, expertly firing past Radcliffe to give the hosts hope.

That hope was dashed just before the break thanks to a moment of brilliance from Town striker Lane. A long throw fell to the feet of Lane inside the box who shrugged off Caldwell and fired across the box for Alex Crawley to tap home and restore the two-goal advantage at half-time.

Castletown were handed a golden opportunity to extend their lead shortly after the break when half-time substitute Matthew Costain was adjudged to have brought down Cardy inside the area.

The Town forward stepped up from the spot looking to secure his hat-trick, but he blazed the ball over the bar to keep the score at 1-3.

The penalty miss seemed to give the Moonlighters renewed energy, and Hickey soon produced a moment of brilliance to reduce the arrears. A headed clearance following a long throw fell to the Colby striker on the edge of the box, whose stunning effort on the stretch beat the dive of Radcliffe and nestled into the top left corner.

The Castletown goalkeeper was a busy man for the remainder of the second half, with Colby sustaining pressure and dominating proceedings. Straight after the second Colby goal, Radcliffe brilliantly tipped Spiers’ side-footed effort wide of his far post.

He was then to make two even more impressive saves. Hickey found space on the edge of the box once again, and his powerful effort which seemed destined for the top corner was tipped over.

Paul Whitley was then next to be denied, Radcliffe saving one-on-one after the in-form Colby striker was played through on goal.

Colby’s sustained pressure was deservedly rewarded with a last-gasp equaliser. Man of the match Hickey’s neat footwork on the edge of the area led to him laying the ball off for Woolland, who took a touch to get the ball out of his feet and then fired a low, left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

Radcliffe was finally beaten and the referee Mark Thomas blew the final whistle to bring an end to an enthralling encounter. Castletown were visibly disappointed at letting their healthy lead slip, but neither side will be too disheartened with a point.

Town will host Michael United at the Stadium next weekend, while Colby now have a two-week break after a positive start to the campaign.