Douglas Royal produced a spirited display in their bid to escape relegation but slipped to another defeat on Saturday and stay rock bottom of the Sure Mobile Premier League.

They went down 5-4 at home to Union Mills and are still eight points adrift of safety.

The Millers enjoyed an impressive first half and were 5-2 up at the break, thanks to goals from David Thomenny (two), Steve Quine (two) and Dean France.

Royal fought back but it wasn’t enough and they remain in deep trouble.

At the other end, champions St George’s stayed on top after a 4-0 home win over battling Ramsey.

But it wasn’t until the second period that they breached the visitors’ rearguard.

Chris Feeney opened the scoring straight after the re-start before Callum Morrissey added the second and promising young talent Connor Doyle came off the bench to net twice and complete the scoring.

Peel remain hot on their heels after thrashing lowly St John’s 4-0 in the western derby.

Juan Killip continued his red-hot form with a double and was joined on the scorersheet by Marc Kelly and Kerron Christian.

St John’s remain in the drop zone.

Newly promoted Old Boys consolidated third spot after beating Gymns 1-0 in a close fought game at Blackberry Lane – Liam Buckley the match-winner and the man of the match!

Corinthians picked up three crucial points with a 2-1 home win over Ayre to boost their survival hopes.

The strike duo of Steve Glover and Jamie Stoy were the scorers with Neil Brown pulling one back for Ayre.

All the goals came in the second half.

And in the remaining game, St Mary's produced an impressive result as they came from behind to secure a fine 3-2 win at Laxey.

The Saints trailed 2-1 at the break but overturned the deficit to win with goals from Liam Cowin, Frank Jones and Steve Priestnal.

Max Murley had put Laxey ahead and there was also an own goal.