Marine 2 FC United 3

3:23pm Sunday 29th March 2009

By Dale Haslam

A CARL Lomax double earned FC United of Manchester a terrific win at Marine in a pulsating crunch UniBond Premier Division clash on Merseyside.

The Reds took the lead on 34 minutes with a Simon Carden strike – only for Marine to reply immediately with two goals in 60 seconds through Peter Cumiskey and Wayne McDermott.

But United fought back and Lomax bagged an equaliser a minute before the break and added a second on 62 minutes.

The all-ticket occasion passed off peacefully despite fears rivalry could boil over after a controversial meeting between the two sides in December.

During that game, another 3-2 win for FC, then Marine player John Lawless was seen to taunt FC supporters over the Munich air diisaster. He was given a police caution and left Marine as a result.

Saturday's win was the latest plus in a fantastic run of form for FC, who have gathered 13 points out of 15 since early March, restoring their promotion hopes.

Defeats for sixth-placed Guiseley lifted United up a place to sixth, though all of FC's promotion rivals have at least one game in hand.

With just five games left, FC face Ossett Town at Gigg Lane on Wednesday and North Ferriby, again at home, on Saturday when it will be free entry for under-18s.