Posta Rangers can smell Kenya Premier League (KPL) survival following a much needed win over Naivas FC in the first leg of their two legged promotion and relegation playoff tie.

Felix Oluoch was the hero for Rangers, with two second half goals to hand them a 2-0 success over Naivas FC Saturday at the Thika Stadium.

The playoff features the team that finished third from bottom in the top tier KPL and the team that finished third from top in the second tier National Super League.

Two second-half goals by Oluoch in the space of four minutes put the messengers on the front foot heading into the second leg which will be played on Saturday.

Oluoch’s opener came in the 64th minute when he latched onto a through ball from Musa Mohammed before slotting it past the stretching hands of Naivas goalkeeper Eliud Emase.

Four minutes later, Oluoch, who was formerly with Kariobangi Sharks, doubled Posta’s lead. This time he took advantage of a defensive error by the Naivas back line, before curling home a superb effort, which beat Emase and nestled into the bottom right.

Despite their first-leg advantage, Posta Rangers coach Sammy ‘Pamzo' Omollo remains cautious that the job is not yet complete.

“We're just halfway. We still have another 90 minutes to play, so we are not safe yet. We still have to fight and win the return leg,” said Omollo after the game.

“We will make sure to defend the advantage we have and attack them during the return leg. Naivas are a good side, so we can’t underestimate them, he added.

Naivas coach Elvis Ayany remains hopeful despite the setback.

“We still have a chance, we need to rectify a few mistakes and head into the return leg with confidence.”

“We gave away easy goals, especially the second goal, but we can’t talk about the first leg now, it is gone, we want to focus and see what we can get in the return leg.”

Last season, Naivas missed promotion after losing to Sofapaka in the same play-off and will be hoping for a turnaround.