Jersey Premiership: St Paul's edge closer to title with Scottish draw

Jersey Scottish boss Pat Brennan admits the Premiership title race is almost over after watching his side battle out a 2-2 draw at leaders St Paul's.

The result keeps the hosts firmly in the driving seat with an eight-point gap at the top.

The Scots led twice through Pierce Cummins and Charlie Petulla, but St Paul's hit back on both occasions with Jack Cannon penalties.

"The draw tonight has probably seen them win the league," said Brennan.

"St Paul's have hardly dropped a point all year and I don't expect them to drop any in the next two or three league games.

"We all start the season to win the league and that looks highly unlikely now."

In a high-tempo first half the Scots almost went ahead through Ben Gallichan's dipping effort before Petulla netted, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

At the other end Craig Leitch hit the post after a neat through ball from Jay Giles.

The opener came 10 minutes before the break when Petulla's cutback was drilled in from the edge of the area by Cummins.

Cannon's spot-kick early in the second half pulled his side level though after Leitch was fouled in the box by Luke Campbell.

Seconds later reigning champions Scottish were back in front when the lively Petulla was first on to a rebound to score from close range.

With seven minutes remaining though Joel Speight brought down striker Craig Russell in the area and Cannon's second penalty squirmed into the bottom corner.

Scottish pressed for a late winner and forced a superb injury-time save from Euan van der Vliet, who tipped the ball over the bar to extend St Paul's unbeaten league run.

"It would have been lovely to keep our winning record going but they're no nearer than they were before hand," St Paul's manager Kevin MacCarthy told BBC Radio Jersey.

"I thought our football was fantastic and the first half was the best football we've played all season.

"We came under some pressure for the last 10 minutes there but thankfully we held out."

St Paul's now know five points from their final three games would guarantee the title for the first time since 2011.