RUSHEN'S bid to claim their first top-flight title since 1988 received a massive boost on Saturday afternoon as they overcame Old Firm rivals Peel 1-3 away at Douglas Road.

Gareth Jones and Steve Burns's Port Erin outfit are now seven points clear of second place St Mary's and the weekend's hosts in the race to lift this season's Sure Mobile Premier League crown.

The westerners received a boost pre-kick-off with the news that they have received a temporary reprieve on their six-point deduction imposed for fielding a suspended player earlier in the season. The English FA has upheld the club's appeal and has now referred it back to the Manx FA for further discussion.

However, it could be that it is the six points Rick Holden's team has dropped in the two league fixtures against Rushen that ultimately costs them the silverware and not the, if any, penalty imposed by the IoMFA.

A devastating 10-minute spell either side of the interval did for the Sunset City side on Saturday as Rushen struck three times through Jack Saxon (2) and man of the match Josh Kelly to all but seal the Croit Lowey team's league double over their arch rivals.

Ironically up until Saxon struck his first goal of the encounter in the 44th minute, it was Peel who looked more likely to revive their championship bid with the points.

New Island squad incumbent Lee Gale will have impressed watching Island manager Kevin Manning with his endeavours in the game's opening throws.
The former Foxdale winger tested the resolve of the Rushen woodwork after just five minutes when his sweetly struck half-volley just inside the Spaniards' box crashed against Aaron Storrie's crossbar.

Gale wasn't finished there and just two minutes later he cut infield from his right wing berth before sending a shot goalwards that Storrie did well to tip over the bar.

From the resulting corner Peel went even closer – Marc Kelly's inswinging set piece forcing Adam Cregeen to head over his own bar on the line.

Rushen weathered the Peel storm and began to offer a threat in the Peel defensive third through forwards Aaron Hawley and Kelly, plus wingers Tom Craine and Saxon.

Indeed it was the latter that carved open the visitors' first real opportunity when he surged down the right flank before centering to the lurking Kelly.

However, the former Island under-18 international could only turn his shot wide with the goal at his mercy six yards out.

Some strong defence by Cregeen and Ryan Denham kept the home attack that was missing the talismanic Kerron Christian largely at bay, but Juan Killip and Johnny Myers both enjoyed chances as the game neared the break.

Then Rushen edged their noses in front. Full back Chris Kneen crossed to the back post. Kelly turned the centre back into the middle of the box where Saxon was lurking to force the ball home.

The travelling support had barely finished celebrating when their charges netted a second. This time Tom Craine was the architect, the former Colby flyer crossing from the left to Kelly who finished with aplomb from inside the Peel box.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts five minutes into the second period when the Spaniards netted what would turn out to be a decisive third.

Saxon was again the man troubling the scorers after he tapped in from six yards out after Kelvin Dawson had parried a stinging Rushen shot from distance.

With Peel still reeling, the hosts nearly conceded again when Kelly's clever flick set up Saxon. This time, however, the winger couldn't add to his goal haul as he blasted narrowly wide.

Rushen continued to create chances as Peel struggled to get claim any real possession. Skipper Paul Jones, who was deputising for the absent Ted Pepper at full back, setting up Craine who forced a good save from Dawson.

As Peel went in search of way back into the fixture Rushen were afforded a bit more room in the attacking third, the mercurial Kelly again going close when his cross from the left caught everyone out and found the Dawson's right post.

As the fixture began to have a feeling of resignation to it, Peel momentarily lifted their supporters' spirits as Daniel Bell went close after Storrie had spilled a cross from the right.

The westerners did eventually get a consolation with just five minutes of the encounter left – substitute Chris Cain header from Myers's corner finding the back of the net via Bell.

Bell's deflection, however, couldn't deny Rushen a second win of the season over the Railway Cup winners.

Team check
Peel: Kelvin Dawson, Kevin Megson, Rob Cottier, Nigel Shimmin, Daniel Lace, Lee Gale (Chris Cain 70m), Marc Kelly, Daniel Bell, Terry Rigaux, Johnny Myers, Juan Killip (Gary Christian 62m). Sub not used John Kelly.

Rushen: Aaron Storrie, Paul Jones, Ryan Denham, Adam Cregeen, Chris Kneen (Ciaran Brown 71m), Jack Saxon (Steve Riding 57m), Justin Hawley, Tom Craine, Chris Shimmin, Aaron Hawley (Furo Davies 68m), Josh Kelly.

Referee: Mark Thomas.
Assistants: Mark Stevens and Huw Matthews
Booked: Denham, Jones (Rushen)
Man of the Match: Kelly (Rushen) - The talented young frontman produced a mature and enigmatic performance and was a constant thorn in the Peel defence's side all game.
Match rating: 3*