Relegation-threatened St John’s United were left frustrated at Glen Road on Saturday as opponents Laxey netted a late equaliser in the sides’ Canada Life Premier League clash.

The Tynwald Hill men looked highly likely to secure only their third victory of the season until substitute George Burrows popped up to spoil the party.

Without football for nearly two months, both sides made a cautious start to the top flight match, with few opportunities on target early on.

The first real chance fell to the visitors and followed a well-worked move that allowed player/manager Callum Taggart the chance which drew a fine save from Laxey goalkeeper Rob Slinger.

The Jonners, in fact, looked the more likely to break the deadlock with a series of inviting balls into the Laxey box.

The first opportunity for the hosts was created by the lively Ryan Gartland who produced a superb effort on the volley that tested keeper James Rice.

Then midway through the opening period Johnny Palmer’s boys took the lead when the talented Luke Strickett-Morling converted a well-judged Daryl Haslett corner.

The visitors responded well, a Taggart effort only just missing the target and a Paul Whitehead free-kick being well saved by Slinger.

The hosts could have doubled their advantage but a Gartland free-kick was inadvertently cleared off the visitors’ goal-line by Laxey defender Dave Reynolds.

But the Saints deservedly ended the half on level terms when the ball fell kindly for Nathan Kelly, allowing him the chance to fire home the equaliser.

The hosts made a bright start to the second period but within four minutes found themselves behind. Another well-worked move on the break saw Taggart play in Whitehead who found the Miners net with a smartly-taken finish.

The visitors pressed for a third and found the net from a corner but this was disallowed by impressive referee Stuart Morris for an infringement.

The home side created few chances during the second half but grew in confidence following the introduction of Joe Walters and Burrows.

Nevertheless, it was the Saints that were unfortunate to see a Sam Batey free-kick rebound off the underside of the Laxey crossbar.

With time running out, the three points looked to be heading west but there was to be a final twist in the tail.

Burrows had made a real impression during the short time he was on the field and when the ball fell to him at the edge of the Saints box, he slammed home a fortuitous equaliser.

In the end, the single point leaves the Saints firmly rooted to bottom place in the table.