It was built as the crunch game in the relegation battle at the bottom of the Premiership table and there was plenty of celebration at Ferney Park as Ballinamallard beat Carrick Rangers to leapfrog their opponents and drag themselves off the foot of the table for the first time since early September.
For manager Harry McConkey though the job is far from done and while he acknowledged that it was an important win, he says his focus is now firmly on Ards this Saturday as the Mallards look to avoid relegation and seal the play-off spot.
“It was another three points and it gets us closer to getting in the play-offs. We had them in our sights for so long so it’s lovely to be the other side of them and now they have to chase us. Our whole focus now though will be on Ards, the Carrick game is gone.
“We are fighting to keep this club in the Premiership, that’s our one clear goal and the only way to do that is take it each game at a time and give it everything,” said McConkey.
He accepts though that his side have dealt a psychological blow to Carrick by moving above them in the table.
“There is no question about it on the psychological front this was important. They are the opponents that you are trying to chase so to beat them on our own patch and to move ahead of them having been seven behind them, there is a big factor in that. However, there are six points left to play for and we only have to lose on Saturday against Ards and Carrick win and we are right back in it again.” 
McConkey felt that his side were deserving winners on the night although he was worried they would become anxious after Carrick had pulled a goal back.
“We had wonderful momentum at 2-0 and I thought we were controlling everything at that stage. The lesson for the players from that though is that you cannot turn off at all. I knew Carrick had individuals there, Henderson in particular because of his experience, and I was concerned that when it became 2-1 we would become anxious and nervous and not keep the ball as well as we should have done but we continued to look dangerous on the counter which was pleasing,” he said.
He also believes that the win will give his players an added lift moving into the final two crucial games of the season.
“Results refresh you and that is where I see a great bonus in that result.  It’s a long season and mentally and physically these boys have given me everything but when you win it gives you that little bit extra,” stated McConkey.
The Mallards boss was forced into a couple of changes in recent games with Ross Taheny filling in at right back, a position he had never played before and Jonnny Leddy coming into the centre of the park on Tuesday night. to replace Davy Kee
“Ross Taheny has never played right back in his life but I went to see him play for the Irish Universities side to show him that I rated him and when I asked him to come in and do a job that he had never done before, he responded positively to that challenge. He has a great temperament, he has two great feet and for people to say that he can’t play on that side that has now been proven wrong.
“Johnny Leddy had come to me after I had played him left back in a game and said to me that his best position is a holding midfield player and I was delighted to hear that and tonight he got his chance when Davy Kee was out,” added McConkey.
There was also a man of the match performance from Shane McGinty who has been outstanding in recent weeks as the Mallards have clawed their way back from the brink. 
McGinty was a constant threat as he found pockets of space to exploit and scored a wonderful goal to get the Mallards going on Tuesday night.
“That is what he is capable of and I’ve been telling him that. 
“Even against Ballymena when we got nothing out of that game Shane had three efforts, each one getting closer and tonight he hit the back of the net.”
It is now on to Ards though and McConkey is eager to have his side fully prepared for the challenge that they will pose on Saturday.
“I’ve had Ards watched and I’m going to bring what we know about them to training on Thursday night. 
“We need to get input into the players heads about what the task will be on Saturday and we will just go and embrace that challenge,” he commented.