Frank Wallace scored the only goal of the game as Enniskillen Town claimed all three points against Strule.
Strule were left to rue two controversial penalty decisions that did not go their way, but Town manager Rory Judge still reckoned his side got the result they deserved.
“The score line was tight but I think the better team won and we deserved to be on the right side of the result. The number of chances we created far outweighed the number they recreated, but having said that they had two stonewall penalties that weren’t given.
“All in all the result was fair. And we deserved it, although I’m sure they feel hard done by.”
After a tight opening to the game where both sides struggled to create an opening in front of goal Strule produced the best early chance, but Town keeper Pat Cadden reacted quickly to tip a shot around the post. Ciaran Brough then came within inches of opening the score, but his shot from just inside the penalty area came back off the post and was cleared to safety. Frank Wallace was the next to test the keeper but his effort was well saved.
Just before the break Town claimed a penalty when Ciaran Brough was challenged by the keeper, but the referee waved away their protests.
The decisive moment of the game arrived midway through the second half. A lofted ball in to Brough was headed towards Wallace, and he lifted his shot over the keeper to put Town ahead. Strule pressed hard for an equaliser and twice thought they should have a chance from 12 yards to get back into the game. Their first penalty claim was for a handball but the referee did not rule in their favour, and moments later Strule were again left frustrated when a foul on Paddy Doherty by Conor Watson went unpunished.
Ryan Hanna twice had opportunities to avoid a nervy closing to the match but missed the target when well place, and Johnny Hoy also came close but had his shot touched around the post.
The win leaves Town twelve points adrift of the league leaders, and although they have two games in hand on Strathroy, manager Judge does not believe his team and genuine contenders for the top spot. “The league is gone now but you have to keep going and if there is a slip up or two down the road then you never what might happen,” he said. “It’s just about trying to do better week on week and see where that takes us.”