Kelty Hearts v Stirling Albion: Top two in League Two draw

KELTY HEARTS remain six points clear at the top of League Two after being held to a draw by nearest challengers Stirling Albion this afternoon.

Joe Cardle's 62nd minute opener gave Kevin Thomson's team the lead, only for substitute Daniel Scally to head the Binos level four minutes later.

It was a gripping, if at times scrappy, encounter and the visitors were well worth their point, particularly as they had the better of things after equalising.

Kelty remain unbeaten, however, and continue to enjoy a decent-sized gap at the summit ahead of next weekend's derby at Cowdenbeath.

Kelty boss Thomson made three changes to his side from last week's Scottish Cup win over Buckie Thistle for this top-of-the-table clash.

Midfield star, Jamie Barjonas, missed out through injury, while Ross Philp and Botti Biabi dropped to the bench, as Andrew Black, Jordon Forster and Connor Barron came in.

After an impeccably observed minute's silence for the late Walter Smith - under whom Thomson played at Rangers, which included their run to the 2008 UEFA Cup final - the visitors got the game up-and-running but it was Kelty who were first to threaten.

Nathan Austin was offered a sight of goal from around 20 yards out, but his effort wasn't troubling Blair Currie as it drifted harmlessly wide.

Kallum Higginbotham had an effort blocked, and Joe Cardle saw one deflected wide, in the early stages but there was little to choose between the teams in the opening 20 minutes.

It was rather scrappy, summed up perhaps by Barron firing a shot so high it ended up out the ground and into the trees behind the goal where the Stirling fans were positioned, but Kelty did show their quality in the 24th minute.

It was the game's clearest opening to that point, and well-worked.

Dougie Hill did brilliantly to nod down a high ball to Higginbotham at the left-edge of the area, who slid a lovely pass into Cardle.

The winger should have scored from eight yards out, but credit to Stirling keeper Blair Currie, who stood tall to save with his feet.

Barron showed some fine feet to fashion an opportunity for himself, which he fired high and wide of the near post, as the game between littered with some niggly fouls.

In a rare foray forward, Dylan Mackin headed over for the visitors following a bit of head tennis from a free-kick, but they would have been the more satisfied at the interval, having kept a really solid shape that denied Kelty many opportunities to play in behind them.

Having said that, Daniel Finlayson could, and should, have had a great chance to shoot when Cardle picked him out with a lovely cutback, but his touch let him down and the opportunity was lost.

That was almost encapsulated the opening 45 minutes, as Kelty too often overhit their crosses, particularly at set plays, or couldn't quite find their intended target with an intricate pass.

Cardle tried to do something about it early in the second half, sending over a terrific cross for Austin which, although saw a foul given against the Kelty forward, Ross McGeachie did brilliantly to head away.

There hadn't been much to get the fans on their feet, but just after the hour mark, a moment of class had the Kelty support on theirs.

In what looked like a training ground routine, Michael Tidser cleverly looked like he was shooting from a free-kick, only to send a reverse pass for Higginbotham, who pulled it back to Cardle, who fired high into the net.

It was a well-worked opener but, within minutes, the Binos were level.

Dylan Bikey found himself with time to cross on the left and Daniel Scally, one of two substitutes that came on for the visitors in the immediate aftermath of Kelty's goal, headed home from six yards to spark wild celebrations amongst the Stirling support.

The Binos had reacted well to going behind and, with 17 minutes to go, Thomson sent Alfredo Agyeman and Kieran Ngweyna on for Austin and Hill in attempt to turn the tide back in their favour.

There was almost a goal at the other end, though, as Jack Leitch shot narrowly wide for Stirling, as Ross Philp came on for Black.

There was a late flurry as Cardle forced Currie into a smart near post stop, with Forster heading over from the resultant corner, but the top two couldn't be separated as the points were shared.

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson; Finlayson, Forster, O'Ware, Hill (Ngweyna 73); Cardle, Tidser, Black (Philp 78), Barron, Higginbotham; Austin (Agyeman 73).

Subs not used: Hooper, McNab, Biabi, Finnan, Donaldson.

Goal: Cardle (62).

Booked: Higginbotham (68).

Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, McNiff, Cummins, McGregor, Laird, Roberts, Bikey (Moore 86), Leitch (Omar 89), Flanagan (Carrick 63), Mackin (Scally 63).

Subs not used: Watson, Heaver, Law, Banner, Grant.

Goal: Scally (66).

Booked: McGregor (27), Cummins (32), McNiff (61) Referee: Ross Hardie.

Attendance: 937.