Flanagan’s Onions boosted their survival hopes after recovering from two goals down to beat Young Men’s Social Club at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.

Onions remain second from bottom but are now just three points behind X-Roads, who are away to Boulevard yesterday.

A smart finish by Clay Darrell and a breakaway goal from Phillip Mallory gave basement dwellers Social Club a two-goal cushion at half-time to leave Onions facing a mountain to climb in the second half.

Mick Ward, the Onions coach, immediately introduced experienced striker Keston Lewis — who suffered a head injury in their previous game away to North Village two weeks ago — with the home side pulling a goal back through a Treshun Smith header soon after the restart.

It took until the 80th minute for Onions to pull level, with Shaki Swan opening his account with a superb half volley after good work from Smith down the right channel.

Swan completed the comeback seven minutes later in slightly fortuitous fashion when his mis-hit shot from the edge of the box drifted into the top corner to trigger some wild celebrations.

Lewis went close to adding a fourth when he dragged his effort wide after linking up well with Smith. At the other end, substitute Giovanni Saltus, the Social Club forward, almost found a late leveller, but he pulled his left-footed shot just wide of goalkeeper Chejon Berkeley’s left-hand post.

Ward, the Onions coach, believed his side were well worth the win. “Even at half-time I thought we were a bit unfortunate,” Ward said.

“I told the players they had to work harder in the second half and the little tweaks that we made really helped us.”

He added: “It looked like [Swan’s second goal] came off the side of his boots, but it’s about time we had a bit of luck.

“We certainly haven’t given up [on staying up]. If we give up hope then what’s the point of coming out.”

TEAMS

Flanagan’s Onions: C Berkeley — Martel Laws, Markel Laws, M Lindsey-Bailey, C Burns, T Smith, M Aden, S Swan, J Higson, N Dunkle, A Rocker. Substitutes not used: K Lewis, J Morgan, L Matthews, O Wilson.

Social Club: L Doughty — K Francois, M Smith, K Arruda, M Rudo, M Parsons, C Che, K Lightbourne, T Fubler, J Lewis-Trott, C Darrell. Substitutes not used: D Simons, S Tuzo, K Butterfield, P Darrell, P Mallory, G Saltus, D Hill, D Adams.

Referee: A Francis.