FC Edinburgh 2 Kelty Hearts 0

KELTY HEARTS are still looking for their first League One points away from home after going down to a fifth defeat on the road at FC Edinburgh.

Danny Handling's sixth minute goal, taking advantage of keeper Darren Jamieson spilling a corner to net from close range, gave Edinburgh the lead in a first half that also saw Kelty lose Jordon Forster and Nathan Austin to injury.

Striker Austin picked up his knock in the process of having his team's best chance of the opening period, hitting the post after being played through, after a 45 minutes of few clear openings at either end.

Jason Thomson forced Robbie Mutch into an early second half save, his header being pushed over the bar, but Callum Crane converted a low cross inside the six yard box to double the Edinburgh advantage with 20 minutes to go.

That proved enough to see off John Potter's charges, who failed to build on their win at home to Airdrieonians last weekend, which keeps them second bottom of the table.

They are only behind Clyde on goal difference, who lost at home to Montrose, and above Peterhead, beaten by Falkirk, by two points, but their away form will be a concern for their manager.

The win for Alan Maybury's charges keeps them top of the table, two points clear of Dunfermline, who were victors at Alloa Athletic, having played a game more, with teams due to meet at KDM Group East End Park next Saturday.

For Kelty, they will look to bounce back quickly when they host Queen of the South on Tuesday evening.

Potter made one change to the team that started last weekend's win over Airdrieonians.

Joe Cardle dropped to the bench, to be replaced by Scott McGill, whilst there was a return as a substitute for Kallum Higginbotham, who missed the Diamonds clash through injury.

Another notable name amongst the subs was goalkeeping coach, David McGurn.

Alan Maybury's team, who displaced Dunfermline - who have played a game less - at the top of the table with a midweek victory over Peterhead, made one alteration, with Callum Crane coming in for Ryan Shanley.

And it was they who made the breakthrough with just six minutes on the clock.

Moments after Liam Fontaine had sent a drive from range over, the Citizens won a corner on the right.

Kieran McDonald's delivery was spilled by Jamieson, which allowed Handling, from close range, to pounce and score his ninth goal of the season.

A difficult start for Kelty provided a further blow in the 14th minute, when Forster was forced off through injury, to be replaced by Tam O'Ware, and they struggled to gain much of a foothold in the opening quarter.

Edinburgh were dominating possession and, apart from a half volley from Kyle Jacobs that flew over, following excellent play on the right by former Dunfermline man, James Craigen, goalscoring opportunities were at a premium.

Craigen was the next to have a go for the hosts, having a shot blocked by Dougie Hill, and a follow-up from Allan Delferriere saved by Jamieson, and although an Edinburgh shirt put the loose ball into the net, an offside flag denied them.

Nicky Low, with a free-kick that struck the wall, was about as much as Potter's side had mustered in an attacking sense, but they came very close three minutes before the break.

Darren Lyon played the ball through for Austin, who did everything right but, for the second week in a row, saw his effort hit the post.

Unfortunately for the visitors, the striker - who has had bad luck throughout the season with injury - was forced off with a knock picked up in the process, to be replaced by last weekend's goal hero, Alfredo Agyeman.

The second half began much brighter for the visitors, with Fontaine required to carry out some fine defending to deny Agyeman as he raced on to Tidser's pass, before home keeper, Robbie Mutch, pushed over Thomson's header from a Low corner.

Delferriere was forced off after a tackle by Lyon - who followed Innes Murray in being carded, just 60 seconds apart - but Edinburgh had two chances inside a minute following that incident.

Ouzy See had the first, sending a volley just over, before Handling headed just wide of the near post.

Potter made three switches - sending on Cardle, Higginbotham and Reis Peggie, in place of Hill, McGill and Jamie Barjonas - just after the hour mark in an attempt to try and turn the tide his team's way, but it was Edinburgh who added a second with 20 minutes to go.

Crane, from left back, made his way into the penalty area and, from close range, was on hand to convert Murray's low cross.

The visitors almost responded quickly, with Higginbotham unforunate to send a fine header over, but they couldn't find a route back into the match as they slipped to another defeat.

Match stats

FC Edinburgh: Mutch, McDonald, Hamilton, See (Robertson 66), Handling (Shanley 79), Jacobs, Fontaine, Murray, Delferriere (Brydon 59), Craigen (McIntyre 79), Crane.

Subs not used: Ramsbottom, Jardine, Johnson.

Goals: Handling (6), Crane (70).

Booked: Murray (57).

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Thomson, Forster (O'Ware 14), Hill (Peggie 63), Martin, McGill (Cardle 63), Low, Tidser, Lyon, Barjonas (Higginbotham 63), Austin (Agyeman 45).

Subs not used: Doherty, McNab, Logan, McGurn.

Booked: Hill (45), Lyon (58)

Referee: Greig Aitken.