Kelty Hearts 2 Clyde 1

KELTY HEARTS made it four home wins in a row after goals from Jamie Barjonas and Alfredo Agyeman saw off Clyde.

The duo's goals, which came within five second half minutes, provided the platform for victory, despite Jordan Allan's counter for the visitors.

The three points moves Kelty six points clear of the second-bottom Bully Wee, who host table-toppers Dunfermline, who beat FC Edinburgh late this afternoon, on Tuesday, and eight clear of bottom club Peterhead.

John Potter's side are now also just five points adrift of Montrose, in fourth, and Falkirk, who sit third.

After a drab first half, the best of which saw Agyeman have a goal chalked off for offside in the build-up, and Kallum Higginbotham head narrowly wide, Barjonas gave Kelty the lead early in the second half after robbing Liam Scullion inside the box before slotting home.

Then, just five minutes later, Alfredo Agyeman, who had been denied by a super save from Neil Parry shortly before the opener, showed great feet at the edge of the box to shoot low into the bottom corner to double Kelty's advantage.

However, in the 63rd minute, Jordan Allan pulled one back for Clyde with a fine finish across Darren Jamieson, Home boss Potter made three changes to the starting line-up that defeated Queen of the South midweek.

Jordon Forster recovered from an injury picked up last Saturday at FC Edinburgh to return to the heart of the defence, whilst Cammy Logan started at right back, and Barjonas returned in midfield.

Lewis Martin, substituted against the Doonhamers on Tuesday with a tight hamstring, and Jason Thomson missed out completely, while Joe Cardle dropped to the bench.

Within the opening three minutes, there was a chance at each end, with Allan lobbing wide for Danny Lennon's visitors, before Forster nodded off-target from a Nicky Low corner.

Allan was soon in action again at the other end, forcing Jamieson into a save after Tam O'Ware shut off a flighted pass that Ross Cunningham, who scored twice when the teams last met in August, chased.

That was a tactic the Bully Wee were looking to deploy - find the runs of Cunningham and Allan early, and try to get them to run in behind O'Ware and Forster to stretch the Kelty backline - but the experienced centre backs seemed to be aware of the danger.

Michael Tidser, the goal hero on Tuesday, had a volley blocked after Steven Thicot cleared a corner into his path, whilst Barry Cuddihy had an effort blocked for Clyde that deflected into the arms of Jamieson.

Just before the half hour, Agyeman turned a Reis Peggie ball into the net, but the offside flag was raised against the left back, whilst Higginbotham was unfortunate not to head Agyeman's fine cross to the far post on target as the half drew to a conclusion.

At the start of the second period, Agyeman was denied by a superb stop by Parry, who did well to turn behind his header from a pin-point Tidser free-kick, but, six minutes into the half, the hosts made the breakthrough.

Low sent a cross into the box that Scullion looked set to deal with but, instead of clearing, the Clyde defender elected to take a touch.

That allowed Barjonas, who was lurking, to rob him of possession inside the box before coolly slotting the ball beyond Parry from eight yards.

Just five minutes later, Kelty doubled their lead.

Higginbotham, who some Clyde fans were appealing for offside against, ran onto a ball on the right and picked out Agyeman at the edge of the box.

The striker showed good feet to shuffle one way, then the other, to find the half yard of space he needed to shoot low and send the ball beyond Parry into the corner of his right-hand post.

That was his second league goal of the season, and his third in all competitions, and gave the hosts breathing space in their bid to move six points clear of their opponents.

However, just after the hour mark, Clyde brought themselves back into contention through Allan.

The forward made a good run across the edge of the Kelty penalty area and, from 18 yards, sent an accurate finish back across Jamieson in the home goal and into the bottom corner for his second goal in as many matches, and his fifth of the season.

Morgaro Gomis flashed a decent attempt from range not too far over for Clyde, who seemed lifted by the goal, as Cunningham forced Jamieson into a stop at his near post.

Kyle Doherty, sent on for Higginbotham as part of a double Kelty switch, curled a decent effort from around 20 yards not too far off-target, whilst the hosts defended well as Clyde attempted to press.

A header from substitute Jon Craig, that was blocked, aside, Kelty dealt with cross balls sent into their penalty area as the clock ticked into the final five minutes.

However, an Oliver McDonald shot wide aside, Clyde failed to offer much threat as Kelty saw the game out for a fourth home win on the trot.

Match stats

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Logan, Forster, O'Ware, Peggie, Barjonas (Cardle 84), Tidser, Low (McNab 71), Lyon, Higginbotham (Doherty 71), Agyeman.

Subs not used: Hill, McGill, Cameron, Campbell.

Goals: Barjonas (51), Agyeman (56) Clyde: Parry, Cuddihy, McLean, Kennedy (McDonald 74), Thicot, Cameron (Craig 74), Gomis (P. Grant 90), R. Grant, Scullion, Cunningham, Allan (Roberts 82).

Subs not used: Mullen, Rodden, Sula, Hendji.

Goal: Allan (63).

Booked: Allan (33).

Referee: Lloyd Wilson.

Attendance: 563.