THE big tie of the weekend was the meeting of NFC Kesh and Enniskillen Rangers and it was the hosts who came out on top thanks to a Jordan McClure brace, with the home side winning 3-1.

Rangers had knocked out neighbours and holders, Enniskillen Town in the previous round.

While they took the lead in this hard fought and at times fiesty tie through Jay Keenan, it was Darren Higginbotham’s team which came out the wrong side of the result.

Rangers’ Adam Breen rattled a post early on before the visitors took the lead when a Joel Byrne shot ricocheted into the path of Keenan who stepped inside a defender to fire past Jamie Ray.

Kesh responded with McClure flashing an effort across goal, but on 24 minutes the former Rangers man levelled when he swooped to steer the ball past Joel Peden.

McClure makes his mark

It remained all square at the interval but three minutes into the second half the ball looped up into the air after a McClure shot had been blocked by a defender.

Beatty met it to send a firm header past Peden from just inside the box.

Shortly afterwards Kane Connor had an effort blocked on the line before five- time winners Rangers rallied in pursuit of an equaliser.

Visiting substitute Matthew Dixon was denied by Ray, who was mightly relieved moments later when Kyle Deery failed to connect with a looping cross just six yards out.

Those misses proved crucial and in the final minute Rangers defender Richie Johnston was adjudged to have fouled Nathan Cashel and referee David Hamilton immediately pointed to the spot.

A melee of the players followed that decision but once the dust had settled, McClure was coolness personified as he stepped up to send Peden the wrong way and secure Kesh’s place in the last 32.