THE Isle of Wight's match of the day between the Island League Division 1 top two — Whitecroft and Barton Sports and Brading Town — was overshadowed by Shanklin's incredible 16-0 demolition of Carisbrooke United.

During the spectacle, against a depleted side of ten and in appalling conditions, Pete Wilson scored five, while Phil McDonald and Kyle Drew helped themselves to hat-tricks.

The win put Shanklin up to second place in the table, three goals behind W&B on goal difference, but having played two more games than the defending champions.

W&B scraped a point against Brading Town in a pulsating match, to protect their unprecedented six-year long unbeaten home league record.

Brading's Oli Wilson gave the Romans the lead on 18 minutes — a simple tap in from an Aaron Burford cross after he caught a defender napping.

That was the way the score stayed at half-time.

After the break, Brading almost doubled their lead from a good Burford strike, just wide of the post.

But W&B equalised when Joe Rayner pounced on a loose ball from a half-blocked shot — swivelling well to smash it into the roof of the net from close in.

On the hour, W&B striker Josh Appell saw his header hit the post and, from the breakaway, Brading went back in front.

A superb, pinpoint cross from the left found Burford unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box and his powerful diving header was parried into the roof of the net.

The game became a stalemate in midfield, with Brading's occasional uncertainty at the back almost allowing W&B in.

But as it looked as though Brading might come away with a famous victory, W&B levelled again with two minutes left.

When the referee awarded a drop ball to W&B just putside the 'D', the ball was lofted into the penalty area. Inexplicably, the Brading keeper dropped the ball under the challenge of substitute, John Bilton, who bundled it home.

There was a frantic finish, but both came away with a point — one the Romans will value, despite dropping to third in the table.

In the Sydenhams Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports were beaten 3-1 away at Portland United, while managerless East Cowes Vics lost 4-2 away at New Milton Town in Division 1.

                                      TODAY'S RESULTS

Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division: Portland United 3, Cowes Sports 1.

Division 1: New Milton Town 4, East Cowes Vics 2.

Harwoods Renault Island League Division 1: Cowes Sports Reserves 6, Pan Sports 1; ECS 1, Bembridge 4; Ryde Saints 2, West Wight 1; Shanklin 16, Carisbrooke United 0; Ventnor 1, Northwood St John 3; Whitecroft & Barton Sports 2, Brading Town 2.

Division 2: Oakfield 4, Seaview 2; Newchurch 0, Osborne Coburg 3.

Combination 1: Carisbrooke United Reserves 2, Oakfield Reserves 2; Ryde Saints Reserves 3, Shanklin Reserves 7; Seaview Reserves 0, ECS Reserves 2.

Combination 2: Bembridge Reserves 6, Newchurch Reserves 2.