HEARTS got their reward for a professional approach to this Pyramid semi-final first leg, by emerging from a highly competitive game with a two goal victory to take back to New Central Park on Saturday.

Having travelled north to Sutherland on Monday Hearts started the game much sharper than the hosts and had two penalties inside the opening phase of the game but saw both saved.

It did not dent their confidence and they kept playing cohesively and created several good chances and grabbed two of these.

Howev er, after minutes came the first penalty after a foul from the home defence but Kallum Higginbotham saw ‘keeper Mailin save his shot.

A few minutes later the referee pointed to the spot again after another incident as the home side struggled to cope with Kelty’s pace and Nathan Austin took the award but Malin repeated the dose with another brave stop.

However, in 21 minutes the Maroons opened their account and what a fine finish it was. Dylan Easton let fly from over 20 yards out and the ball dipped before beating the ‘keeper.

Minutes later he tried again and this time from the edge of the box, the ball flew just wide.

However, at the other end Hearts defender Dougie Hill made a brave block to stop a shot by McCrae only a few yards out.

A goal up at the break Hearts started the second period looking for a second goal and it came five minutes into the half when the harassed Brora defence gave away another spot-kick when Malin bundled over Austin and this time Higginbotham made no mistake.

But on the hour mark at the other end Scott Jamieson made a special save to keep a Nicolson shot out.

Kelty were still making some good approach work create openings and from one of them Austin forced another fine save from home ‘keeper Malin.

Kelty saw out the game to take a kety two goal lead back to Fife

Kelty Hearts; Jamieson, Hooper, Boyle, Hill, Stevenson, Reilly, Higginbotham, Philp (Reid), Austin, Tidser, Easton. Subs not used, Scobbie, Flynn, McNab, Rodgers, Russell and Donaldson (gk).