It’s advantage St Mary’s and Peel in the Canada Life Premier League title chase after a potentially pivotal day in the top flight on Saturday afternoon.

St Mary’s continue to lead the way at the top of the table after they came from behind to inflict defeat on defending champions St George’s at Glencrutchery Road.

Geordies appeared to be on course for victory when Jay Skelcher-Maxwell gave them the lead from the penalty spot late in the first half after Furo Davies was fouled inside the box.

However, St Mary’s turned the game on its head in the second half when substitute Craig Murphy fired the visitors ahead moments after coming off the bench.

Karl Clark then powered home a header to put the Bowl outfit in front before former St George’s man Jack McVey curled home a sublime free-kick late on against his old club.

Ciaran McNulty reduced the arrears deep into injury time with a low finish but it proved to be too little too late as Alex Harrison’s visitors held on to claim a big three points.

It was much more straightforward for second-placed Peel who romped to a 9-0 win at Douglas Royal. Most of the damage was done in the first half when the westerners raced into a seven-goal lead, before completing the rout after the break.

Lee Gale and Rhys led the way for Steve Falconer’s men as they both bagged hat-tricks, and they were joined on the scoresheet by a Matthew Woods brace and a Tom Wood strike.

St Mary’s and Peel’s title hopes were further boosted by the news that rivals Corinthians dropped two points at home to a resurgent St John’s.

In fact, it could’ve been worse for the Whites as they were twice forced to come from behind before a Sean Doyle penalty and a brilliant Stephen Whitley free-kick salvaged a 2-2 draw.

Former Castletown striker and professional footballer Dan Hattersley returned to haunt his old club in the southern derby in Port Erin, netting twice in an 8-0 win.

Also getting on the scoresheet at Croit Lowey were Jack Saxon with two, plus Josh Kelly, Matty Cain, Charlie Jackson and captain Ste Riding.

DHSOB leapfrogged Douglas Athletic into sixth place in the table with a battling 4-2 win over the Pinks at Blackberry Lane. Mikey Callister was at the double for Athletic, but no details of Old Boys’ scorers are available at the time of writing.

JCK Division Two league leaders RYCOB saw their advantage at the top reduced slightly as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Union Mills.

Youthie raced into a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Jason Craine and Ste Grose but, after Lewis Moran and Dylan Parish were both sent off for the northerners, the Millers hit back after the break through Jack Murray and Kyle Uren to clinch a draw.

Pulrose United closed the gap to three points thanks to a Steven Priestnal-inspired victory away at Onchan. The player-manager helped himself to a hat-trick at the Nivison Stadium and was joined on the scoresheet by a brace from brother Marc while Owen Canipa also grabbed a goal for the Reds.

Dale Walker managed to net against his former club for Onchan while James Kerruish also scored for the Os to leave the final result 6-2.

Foxdale were the biggest winners of the day as they thrashed bottom-of-the-table Governor’s Athletic 14-0 at Billy Goat Park, a result which puts them just two goals shy of Pully on goal difference.

Andy Williamson led the way for the hosts with a five-goal haul, while there were braces for Ricky Newsham, Andrew Barron and Kevin Pulman, plus single strikes by Liam Cannan, John Roberts and Antony Corkill.

Malew got back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory away at Michael United thanks to goals from Jordan Primrose-Smith, Daniel Thirlwell, Dan McLaughlin and an own goal, while Ramsey emerged victorious 6-3 in an entertaining game with battling Colby, Carl Hickey, Mikey Thompson and Luke Roberts netting the goals for the Moonlighters.

Gymns saw their fine recent run of form come to an end at home to Ayre United who edged the contest in Tromode by the odd goal in five, Ross Crawford and Simon Dixon grabbing the consolations for the hosts.

Saturday, November 17:

Canada Life Premier League

Corinthians 2-2 St John’s

DHSOB 4-2 Douglas Athletic

Douglas Royal 0-9 Peel

Rushen United 8-0 Castletown

St George’s 2-3 St Mary’s

JCK Division Two

Colby 3-6 Ramsey

Foxdale 14-0 Governor’s Athletic

Gymns 2-3 Ayre United

Michael United 2-4 Malew

Onchan 2-6 Pulrose United

RYCOB 2-2 Union Mills

Canada Life Combination One

Braddan 1-3 Laxey

Douglas Athletic 5-5 DHSOB

Peel 8-1 Douglas Royal

St John’s 0-3 Corinthians

St Mary’s 7-0 St George’s

JCK Combination Two

Ayre United 3-1 Gymns

Malew 4-1 Michael United

Pulrose United 1-6 Onchan

Ramsey 5-2 Colby