Irvinestown Wanderers strengthened their hand in the promotion race in Division Two with a 2-1 win over Enniskillen Athletic at the Bawnacre on Saturday.

The victory puts the Wanderers five points clear of third placed Strule United with a game in hand, them and Enniskillen Santos now firmly in control of proceedings in the table with the pair set to battle it out for the title.

On Saturday though they were pushed all the way by Peter Goan’s Athletic side. Two goals from Ronan Ormsby gave Irvinestown the upperhand but a Josh McIlwaine converted penalty brought Athletic back into the encounter with 15 minutes to go.

However, the away side were unable to find an equaliser and the defeat more or less put an end to their slim promotion hopes.

“I think Irvinestown will go on and get promoted but I felt that we gave a good account of ourselves on Saturday and it is a game we could have taken something from. We had a strong team out on Saturday and we’ll just look to try and build on what we have done so far after Christmas and hopefully have a bit of a cup run,” said Goan.

Irvinestown joint manager Dermot McCann is looking for his players to sustain the run they have been on when they return to action after the break.

“It is nice to go into the break on the back of a win although it was a game that we could have ended up with nothing out of after controlling things for most of it. The put us under a bit of pressure after they pulled a goal back and we’re just glad to get the win. I have to say that the players have been great and we couldn’t ask anymore from them than they have given us so far. Hopefully now we can push on again after Christmas,” he commented.

Irvinestown enjoyed the greater possession in the first half although Athletic did have a chance to take the lead after 25 minutes when McIlwaine met a Danny Dunbar corner only to head wide while Darrin Simpson slipped when he looked to be through on goal.

However, as half time approached it was the home side who took the lead as Ormsby bagged his first of the game. His shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off the outstretched leg of Paul Coulter to wrong foot Philip Leonard in the Athletic goal and nestle in the back of the net.

Irvinestown started the second half on the front foot and Gary Maguire clipped a free kick just past the post before Ormsby doubled their advantage in the 65th minute, his effort spilled by Leonard over the line as Wanderers made it 2-0.

Back though came Athletic and they were back in contention with 15 minutes to go. Christopher Currie played a one-two with Mark Beckett and was upended by Johny McGovern in the box with McIlwaine stepping up to convert from the spot for 2-1.

Louis Leonard then had a chance to level things but he drilled over from 14 yards while at the other end Christopher Lyons was denied by a good save from Leonard and Chris O’Brien missed a glorious chance to make it 3-1.

Athletic continued to press in the latter stages but the Irvinestown rearguard stood firm as they secured the win that keep them right on the heels of Santos at the top of the table.