St Mary’s suffered a blow to their hopes of retaining their Canada Life Premier League title as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Laxey at the Bowl.

The Saints appeared on course to claim a hard-fought victory against the Miners at the national stadium through goals from Brian Crellin and Karl Clark, after Michael Fernandes had earlier equalised for Laxey with a brilliant free-kick.

But the Miners equalised with only four minutes remaining to snatch a dramatic share of the points and add an extra element of intrigue to the title race.

That result has allowed Corinthians to close the gap after they claimed the Ballafletcher bragging rights with a 4-1 win over Douglas Royal.

Chris Cannell put the hosts in front before Jamie Agnew equalised for Royal, only for goals from Stu Smith, Kane Riding and Tom Smith to ensure Corinthians added three points to their title fund as they moved to within six points of St Mary’s with two games in hand.

Rushen United continue to battle it out at the top of the Premier League as Liam Cowin’s charges were too strong for Douglas Athletic, goals from Mike Williams, Kyle Lunn, Greg Norris and Ste Riding ensuring a 4-0 win at Springfield Road.

Also remaining in the title race is St George’s who got the better of rivals in a scrappy game at Glencrutchery Road.

The in-form Calum Morrissey smashed Geordies into an early lead which was doubled by Johnny Myers before the interval.

Substitute Billy Kennaugh reduced the deficit with four minutes remaining to give Peel hope of snatching at least a point, but one of the Saints talented youngsters, Nathan Cardy - on as a sub himself - coolly restored his side’s two-goal lead almost immediately before captain Sean Quaye sealed a 4-1 victory in injury time.

The game between DHSOB v Marown at Blackberry Lane was postponed.

There was a thrilling game at Garey Mooar where Union Mills held their nerve to edge past Ayre United in a penalty shootout in the GH Corlett Woods Cup.

The Tangerines appeared to be cruising to a 3-1 victory heading into the latter stages of the game, only for the Millers to mount a stirring comeback to force extra-time, before winning the lottery of spotkicks 6-5 to advance to the semi-finals.

There the Millers will travel to Braddan after the Swans got the better of a plucky Malew side at Clagh Vane.

Braddan raced into a 3-0 lead a half-time courtesy of goals from Sam Ogden, Mark O’Neill and Jake Wilson but a spirited second-half showing by the hosts saw Jack Gilbert pull a goal before the Swans ran out 3-1 winners.

Elsewhere in the Woods Cup, St John’s produced an excellent performance to defeat Foxdale 5-1 at Billy Goat Park. Unfortunately no details of the scorers have been received.

The final cup quarter-final saw Onchan record a 4-2 victory over Douglas and District at the Nivison Stadium.

The Os raced into a 2-0 half-time lead at the spiritual home of stockcar racing and, despite Lewis Qualtrough and Dan Kinley netting for the visitors, two further goals from the home side booked their place in the last four where they will host St John’s.

Only one game went ahead in JCK Division Two which saw RYCOB romp to a 6-0 victory over Gymns in Tromode.

It proved to be an excellent day for Youthie who’s combi side also wrapped up the JCK Combination Two title in fine style with a super 7-0 win over the Gymns at Scoill ree Gorree.

Grabbing the goals for the hosts were Evan Johnstone, Mark McLurg, Jack Perks plus braces from Jamie Brew and Joe Kneale to seal the first senior league title of the 2019-20 season.

Saturday, March 14

GH Corlett Woods Cup quarter-finals

Malew 1-3 Braddan

Union Mills 3-3 Ayre United (Mills won on penalties)

Foxdale 1-5 St John’s

Onchan 4-2 Douglas and District

Canada Life Premier League

Corinthians 4-1 Douglas Royal

Douglas Athletic 0-4 Rushen United

St George’s 4-1 Peel

St Mary’s 2-2 Laxey

DHSOB P-P Marown

JCK Division Two

Colby P-P Michael United

Gymns 0-6 RYCOB

Canada Life Combination One

Douglas Royal 1-4 Corinthians

Laxey H-W St Mary’s

Peel 3-1 St George’s

Rushen 2-2 Douglas Athletic

JCK Combination Two

Ayre United 3-1 Onchan

Braddan 11-1 Governor’s Athletic

Douglas and District 3-2 Union Mills

Michael United 0-1 Colby

RYCOB 7-0 Gymns