Irvinestown Wanderers good start to the season continued on Friday night as they made it four points out of a possible six with a 2-1 victory over Dergview Reserves.

The Wanderers began life back in the top flight with a hard earned 2-2 draw with Enniskillen Town and they followed that up with their first win of the season as Liam Murphy and Gary Maguire both got on the scoresheet for a second week in a row.

Irvinestown appeared to be cruising when Maguire converted from the spot to make it 2-0 but a Darren Higginbotham goal five minutes from time set up a nervy conclusion. The home side though held on to their lead and joint manager Dermot McCann is delighted with the opening they have made to the campaign.

“That’s four points out of six so we can’t really have asked for much more than that and we were delighted to get that first win. Hopefully now we can try and keep it going although we’re under no illusions about how tough the season will be,” he said.

On the game, he added: “We completely controlled things for 80 minutes but then they got the goal and in the end we were glad to hear the final whistle.” With Murphy outstanding in the middle of the park, Irvinestown got a grip on proceedings from an early stage and created a number of chances with Joey Miller and Christopher McMulkin both guilty of missing the target.

However, with 20 minutes on the clock the Wanderers deservedly took the lead as Murphy striped possession off Richard Clarke and raced into the box before slotting low to the corner of the net.

The pressure continued from the home side as Murphy put Miller through but he hit the post while McMulkin and Maguire were both denied by the crossbar.

At the other end Dergview offered very little with Conor McGuigan marshalling the Irvinestown defence although there was a moment of panic when Wanderers goalkeeper Fergal Murphy spilled a ball but he made amends to react quickly and save at the feet of Higginbotham.

The home outfit continued were they left off at the start of the second half and with 55 minutes played they doubled their money as Murphy was taken down in the box and Maguire blasted home from the spot.

Dergview though were to finish the game strongly. Murphy pulled off a save to tip over a Higginbotham chipped effort but the former Ballinamallard striker did get on the scoresheet soon after as he burst through and finished well.

It was all the away side then in the final minutes as they pushed for an equaliser but Irvinestown stood firm to hold on for the win.