Edinburgh City 1 Kelty Hearts 1

KELTY HEARTS' first match as champions of League Two ended in a draw at play-off chasing Edinburgh City this evening.

Jamie Barjonas' spectacular opener early in the second half gave Kevin Thomson's men the lead, only for Ryan Shanley's penalty to cancel it out and ensure the spoils were shared.

Midfielder Barjonas' ninth goal of the season, two minutes after half-time, was of the highest calibre and showed why he has been one of the standout performers in League Two this season.

He picked the ball up, flicked it over the head of an Edinburgh defender, and then fired home a sublime volley that gave goalkeeper Brian Schwake no chance.

But, in the 66th minute, a Shanley's spot-kick - awarded after Kelty number one, Darren Jamieson, was penalised for a challenge on sub Ouzy See - pulled the home side level and secured what could, for them, be a vital point in their bid to be part of the end-of-season play-offs as they seek to join Kelty in League One next term.

There was a sour note for the visitors, as Tam O'Ware was stretchered off following a hard tackle by Ben Stirling, but the point extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

The visitors made five changes to the team that clinched the title at home to Stenhousemuir last Saturday.

Daniel Finlayson, Dougie Hill, Kieran Ngwenya, Thomas Reilly and Joe Cardle all dropped to the bench, with Jordon Forster, Ross Philp, Robbie McNab, goalscoring hero Max Kucheriavyi and Botti Biabi all being handed starts.

The hosts, who gave the champions a guard of honour ahead of kick-off, were looking to increase their two-point advantage over Stenhousemuir in the race for the final promotion play-off place, and made a bright start.

Anthony McDonald, formerly of Heart of Midlothian and the Pars, with whom he had a loan spell, forced Darren Jamieson into a fine early block after he was played through on goal, while Innes Murray also tried his luck, only to curl a 20-yarder wide of target.

It had been rather low-key from the champions - although they knocked the ball about well at times - but they almost had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 26th minute.

They worked the ball well down the right and Philp centred the ball to find Agyeman waiting, but the striker seemed to be taken by surprise that the ball had actually fallen to him, and he couldn't adjust his feet quickly enough to get a shot away from close range.

Alan Maybury's mean needed to show their defensive qualities moments later when Kucheriavyi did superbly to cushion a cross into the path of the onrushing McNab, but a City boot got between him and the ball before he could shoot, putting the ball over for a corner.

Edinburgh were struggling to get up the pitch as the game hit the half hour mark, and Kallum Higginbotham was next to have ago, but the shot didn't trouble Schwake in the home goal.

Jamieson, though, was back in work at the other end - saving smartly at his near post from Murray, who sent a decent, first-time shot towards him from a knockdown - before Agyeman had an effort block after Higginbotham sprayed a fine, cross-field pass into his path.

The match began to open up, with Biabi seeing a shot lack power after a deflection, before Murray shot over at the other end, while Agyeman was again out of luck as the half-time whistle approached.

There was still time for one final opportunity before the break, and it came for Kelty, with Barjonas - one of their star men this season - denied by Schwake after he had been played in by Higginbotham.

However, just two minutes into the second half, a goal did arrive for the visitors - and it was worth the wait.

After he flicked the ball over a defender and into the box, Barjonas connected with a quite fantastic volley that gave Schwake no chance and handed the midfielder his ninth of the season.

There was a blow shortly afterwards, however, as O'Ware was stretchered off after a hard challenge by Stirling - who was booked - which resulted in around five minutes of treatment.

Barjonas almost had a hand in a second Kelty goal, skipping across the edge of the 18-yard area before finding Agyeman, whose fierce drive was pushed over well by Schwake.

However, in the 66th minute, the home side pulled themselves level from the penalty spot.

A ball played into the Kelty box was chased by See, who got a touch ahead of Jamieson, who came off his line to win it, and appeared to be clipped by the keeper.

The referee penalised the champions' number one and Shanley stepped up to slot home the equaliser from 12 yards.

From there, the game became a bit of a midfield battle, although Shanley shot wide for Edinburgh, with Biabi doing likewise moments later for Kelty, as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes.

Thomson was sent off by the referee, while Higginbotham and Ciaran Brian also traded chances, both of which missed the target, as both teams sought a lkate winner, and McNab had a great chance to get it when he was picked out in space 16 yards out, only to shoot wide.

Substitute, Joe Cardle, also had a sight of goal as the match ticked towards stoppage time, picking up his own blocked pass 18 yards out, but he sent his effort over as the champions were forced to settle for a share of the points.

Match stats

Edinburgh City: Schwake, McIntyre, Hamilton, Stirling, McDonald (See 60), Tapping, Handling (Berry 81), Logan, Shanley, Brian, Murray.

Subs not used: Boyle, Mitchell, Farrell, Leighfield.

Goal: Shanley (66, pen).

Booked: Stirling (51).

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson; Philp, O'Ware (Finlayson 56), Forster, McNab; Higginbotham, Tidser, Barjonas; Kucheriavyi, Agyeman (Cardle 67), Biabi.

Subs not used: Black, Peggie, Hill, Reilly, Ngwenya, Donaldson.

Goal: Barjonas (47).

Referee: Matthew MacDermid.

Attendance: 487.