Stenhousemuir 1 Kelty Hearts 4

KELTY HEARTS provided a masterclass in counter-attacking play to retain top spot with a ruthless victory at Stenhousemuir this afternoon.

Although Adam Brown cancelled out Alfredo Agyeman's opener, Joe Cardle had Kevin Thomson's League Two pacesetters 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Further goals from Jamie Barjonas and Agyeman rounded off a superb afternoon at Ochilview, with the visitors maintaining their unbeaten start to life in the SPFL with a fourth win in five outings.

Thomson's side picked the Warriors off on the break for their four goals in an open contest with chances at either end, and this result once more demonstrates that they will be amongst the favourites for the title come the end of the season.

For the visitors, the big news was that striker Nathan Austin missed out, whilst Connor Barron was also absent from the team that defeated Edinburgh City last weekend.

Andrew Black and Alfredo Agyeman came into the side, whilst Thomson was only able to name four substitutes.

For the Warriors, Stephen Swift was able to call on the likes of experienced ex-Dunfermline midfielders Nat Wedderburn and Ross Forbes, and forward Robert Thomson, while ex-Kelty defender, Craig Reid, was on the bench.

In the early stages, the evidence was that this would be an open game, as both sides looked to send players forward in numbers.

The first early opportunity fell to the visitors, however, with Agyeman hitting the side net from a tight angle after his run was picked out by a quickly taken free-kick.

Moments later, the forward went down in the box, after showing neat feet to trick his way there, under pressure from Nicky Jamieson, but he seemed to lose his balance as much as anything, with no penalty - or, in fairness, an appeal for one - forthcoming.

A goal, however, was in the 14th minute as Kelty took the lead.

It was a masterclass in counter-attacking play as it stemmed from a Stenhousemuir corner, which had initially been cleared by the Kelty defence.

Although the ball was returned, the visitors again dealt with it, and Jamie Barjonas led the charge upfield.

Joe Cardle then took over and advanced towards the edge of the area, where he slipped the ball left and into Agyeman's path, who found the far corner with a fine finish.

Stephen Swift's Warriors responded, however, with Thomson unlucky to see Thomas O'Ware deflect a good effort just wide, but they were rewarded midway through the half.

The home number 10 was the architect, showing brilliant skill to turn his man at the right edge of the box before laying it left to Brown, whose shot took a deflection to leave goalkeeper Darren Jamieson helpless as it nestled in the back of the net.

The free-flowing nature of the contest continued as, in the 33rd minute, Kelty went ahead for a second time.

It was another swift break upfield, led by Agyeman and Cardle, with the latter switching play to Kallum Higginbotham on the left.

He then moved inside, returned the ball to Cardle who, after moving the ball onto his left, sent a low shot beyond Ryan Marshall at his near post.

It wasn't the former Dunfermline man's most powerful strike, and the keeper may think he should have done better, but it found the net to the delight of the travelling support.

Marshall, though, did superbly well to block Barjonas with his feet after he was slipped in behind the home defence, while Nicky Jamieson narrowly headed Forbes' vicious corner wide at the other end moments later.

O'Ware, whilst stretching, nodded a Tidser free-kick over as the half drew to a close, with both teams having given as good as they got in the opening 45 minutes.

Stenhousemuir served notice that they weren't out of proceedings in the early stages of the second, with Euan O'Reilly flashing a brilliant ball across the six yard box but, frustratingly for the hosts, it evaded the maroon jerseys trying to get on the end of it at the back post.

At the other end, Agyeman flashed a shot wide after Cardle had been denied by Marshall, while Marshall needed strong hands to beat away a fierce Barjonas drive just after the hour mark.

Then, in the 66th minute, Kelty added a third and, yet again, it came courtesy of a swift counter-attack.

Forbes had seen a free-kick brilliantly saved by Jamieson but, from the home side's corner, Hearts swept forward through Barjonas and Agyeman.

The latter, on the right, slipped the ball infield to ex-Rangers midfielder Barjonas with the Warriors caught out in defence and, although Marshall came out to try and block, the Kelty man scrambled the ball home.

Then, in the 71st minute, the visitors added a fourth.

Ross Philp this time was the creator, sending a superb cross in from the right where Agyeman was poised to finish for his second of the afternoon.

Higginbotham lashed one high and wide, before Robert Thomson had the ball in the net for the Warriors with a fine volley, only to be denied by an offside flag.

Forbes then struck the bar late on with a fine strike from range, with Brown hitting the side netting on the follow-up, but it ended in a fine three points for the league leaders.

Stenhousemuir: Marshall, Lyon, Coll, Jamieson, Corbett, Wedderburn (Anderson 76), Forbes, Christie (Orr 51), O'Reilly (Graham 76), Brown, Thomson.

Subs not used: Hughes, Reid, Tierney, Wilson.

Goal: Brown (23).

Booked: Coll (30).

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Black (Finnan 89), O'Ware, Hooper,McNab, Philp, Higginbotham, Barjonas, Tidser, Cardle (Peggie 88), Agyeman.

Goal: Agyeman (14, 71), Cardle (33), Barjonas (67).

Subs: Hill, Donaldson, Finnan.

Referee: Alan Newlands.

Attendance: 436.