Ten-man FC Isle of Man hold Pilkington to draw

Both sides cancel each other out in tough conditions

Ten-man FC Isle of Man battled to a hard-fought point in tough conditions as they and Pilkington played out a 0-0 draw in the NWCFL Premier Division this afternoon (20 September).

A match mostly made up of half-chances for both sides saw the likes of Dean Pinnington and Charlie Higgins able to draw saves from Pilkington stopper, Jack McGovern during the contest.

Higgins was denied a dramatic late winner in second-half stoppage time due to an offside after the Islanders had seen Callum Hudgeon sent off in the 77th minute for a second bookable offence.

The result lifts FC Isle of Man at least temporarily out of the relegation zone and a first clean sheet since the opening match of the season.

A cagey opening to the game saw Dean Pinnington test McGovern with eight minutes gone whilst Joe Middleton then fired a shot over for 'The Ravens' nine minutes later.

Neither side were able to make a breakthrough in the first period in tough conditions at the PSD Stadium and that trend continue in the second half.

The only notable moment early in the second 45 was Pilkington's James Howell unleashing a 20-yard effort after 55 minutes which sailed past the post of FC Isle of Man goalkeeper, Adam Killey.

Whilst the Manx visitors began to apply the pressure again as the half wore on, their job got more difficult with 13 minutes to go when Callum Hudgeon was given his marching orders after a second bookable offence.

Down to ten men, 'The Ravens' though they'd found a dramatic late winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Charlie Higgins rounded McGovern and slotted home, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Claiming what would be their second clean sheet of the season so far at the final whistle, a point on the road means FC Isle of Man move up one place in the NWCFL Premier Division standings to 22nd.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be at home to Barnoldswick Town on Saturday, 4 October at The Bowl in Douglas, kicking-off at 6pm.