IRISH LEAGUE: Ballinamallard United ready for Seaview crunch tie

But the Fermanagh boys now face the ultimate test - they make the long trek to Belfast on Saturday to oppose title holders Crusaders at Seaview.

Dykes may be thrilled with his boys’ improvement. However, he is aware that there is still a big challenge up ahead.

He said: “We can only control what we do. If the boys work hard and they put in a shift for the jersey, then anything is possible.”

Goals from James McKenna and Ryan Morris - with a superb 25 yard volley - sealed the win over the Premiership new boys Ards

“To a man I thought we were super,” added Dykes. “We changed tactics at half-time and it paid off for us. I thought Ryan Mayse worked his shocks off against Ards. I’ve left him out of the team, but I told him he would get his chance. He took that chance. Shane McCabe also rolled back the years.

“I said at the start, it would probably take six or seven weeks before we would start finding our feet - they boys are now starting to believe in themselves.

“I have a philosophy . . . you have to try to create things to score goals.

“We work on that in training. We are a young side, so I know we are going to make mistakes at the back.”

But how does Dykes plan to stop free-scoring Crusaders on their home patch.

He added: “I’ll be doing a lot of praying,” he quipped.