Enniskillen Rangers bounced back from the Junior Cup semi-final defeat to record two league wins in four days and extended their lead at the top of the table to 12 points.

The league leaders came from a goal behind to hit five past Strule, and then scored four more on Tuesday against Kesh as they maintained their unbeaten run in the league.

Tummery Athletic remain hot in pursuit with four games in hand, but Rangers manager is pleased with how his side bounced back after the disappointment of a last four exit in the cup.

“We could easily have had a hangover from the Junior Cup but it hasn’t happened,” said Rangers’ boss Michael Kerr.

“They are a good group of lads, and we all knew we wanted to try to retain the league. It is not going to be easy but it was all about reacting positively, especially against Strule on Saturday which was our first game back. We had a good result there. It might not have been the greatest performance but at this stage of the season it is all about results and getting three points.

“That means since the Junior we have had two good wins and nine goals which is pleasing. We want to push on now. Every game now you have to target three points because you don’t want to slip up, and we know we can’t afford to.”

The two wins mean Rangers continue to match Tummery’s unbeaten record, but Kerr believes his side are in a better position having played more games.

“I would rather have the points on the board,” said Kerr.

“We were in the opposite situation last season when we were playing second fiddle against Kesh who were ahead of us. The pressure is on you and it eats away thinking you have to win.

“They have no margin for error and we have put ourselves in a good position at this moment.”

Rangers looked to be suffering a hangover from the Junior Cup defeat when they fell behind to bottom of the table Strule on Saturday, but they turned the game around in dramatic fashion at the start of the second half, scoring three goals in five minutes.

They completed the turnaround with another two goal to emerge 5-2 victors, with a goal for Willie Burleigh and two apiece for Currie and Cutler.

They kept the winning run going on Tuesday evening, defeating Kesh 4-1. Rangers’ took the lead after just two minutes when Ciaran Brough broke through on goal and lifted the ball over the keeper, with Mark Cutler making sure from three yards out.

Kesh responded with a quick equaliser when Grant Ellis headed a corner back across goal and Ryan Morris applied the finishing touch.

Five minutes before the half time interval Ciaran Brough ran on to a James Turley through ball and slotted into the bottom corner to restore Rangers’ lead.

In the second half Cutler saw a shot come back off the post and had a shot saved, before the game turned further in Rangers favour when Alex Holder received a red card for a challenge on Burleigh.

Rangers took full advantage when Jason Keenan and Michael Simpson netted late on to secure the win.

The defeat for Kesh leaves them in the relegation zone, but manager Nicky Noble believes he is seeing enough from his players to give him hopes of survival.

“I thought we played well but once we went down to ten men they pulled clear,” he said.

“They were always going to have a lot of possession but we defended well and we attacked and pressed when we had to. Against any other team we would have got something out of that, but the signs are good and we were up for it. I can’t fault their work rate.

“If we go on the way we are going I think we will be alright, but we just need a wee bit of luck.”