Kelty Hearts 0 Falkirk 1

KELTY HEARTS were unable to boost their promotion play-off hopes as runaway League One leaders Falkirk edged them out this afternoon.

Tom Lang's first half header, which came after a bright start by the hosts, who saw Alfie Bavidge and Ross Cunningham denied by fine Nicky Hogarth saves, separated the sides at New Central Park.

Craig Johnston's red card just before the interval, however, left Michael Tidser's side with an uphill task, and they couldn't find an equaliser.

Ahead of Montrose's trip to Queen of the South, which was a 5.30pm kick off, it left Kelty still in sixth place, but six points outside Cove Rangers, who had moved into fourth spot ahead of that match.

"You're playing against a good side. They're top of the league, they're going to win the league, there's no doubt about that," Tidser said post-match.

"First half I thought we had two, three, possibly, right good chances, and you've got to take your chances, especially against a good side, because you know you'll be under pressure in spells in the game.

"But, in terms of the lads' overall game - obviously CJ's sending off meant we had to change our shape a wee bit - I said to them at half-time, look, stay in the game. Stay in the game and do your tank in basically in terms of your energy levels, and the boys did that.

"I thought they did it. I thought they were great. It's hard because you're trying to cover distance, you're down to 10 men, once it goes up the park, it's hard for a striker playing against four defenders.

"Bav's got the chance right at the end and I thought that might've been the chance to go and score. Where I'm standing, the angle might be a bit tight for him, as I think he tries to cut it back.

"I'm just really proud of the lads. It's a full-time team who have practically got two hands on the trophy now. In terms of us, I'm really proud of the lads, and hopefully that's a wee shot in the arm to show that we can compete against the best in the league.

"We just park it and move on now."

The hosts made two changes to their starting line-up from last weekend's loss at promotion play-off rivals Montrose.

Alfie Bavidge, who missed that game, and the Edinburgh City clash prior, due to being on Scotland under-19 duty, returned to the starting line-up, in place of Joe McGlynn, who dropped to the bench.

Brad McKay, who is on loan from the Bairns, missed out against his parent club, with LEwis Owens replacing him for Kelty.

Falkirk arrived at New Central Park leading League One by 14 points, and had still to taste defeat in the division this season, and had won both previous meetings of the teams this term.

They were backed by a large travelling support, eager to see their favourites take another step towards ending a five-year stay in the third tier, but they were almost stunned within 30 seconds of kick off.

Kelty got the game going and immediately sent the ball forward for Bavidge who, from the left-edge of the six-yard box, forced Nicky Hogarth into a decent stop, with Coll Donaldson clearing as the ball ran loose.

Kyle Gourlay did well to narrow the angle and block from former 'Maroon Machine' forward, Alfie Agyeman, but the home side started brightly.

Ross Cunningham was denied by an excellent Hogarth block, after taking an super touch to evade his marker from Johnston's centre, whilst the latter was unfortunate to turn the ball wide from Bavidge's cross to the front post.

Bavidge continued to threaten, curling wide from 18 yards after neat play between Brody Paterson and Lewis O'Donnell gave him a shooting opportunity, but it was the Bairns who took the lead.

Arguably against the run of play, Calvin Miller collected Brad Spencer's short corner and crossed to the far post where Lang, despite the best efforts of Gourlay in goal, headed home.

Just after the half hour mark, Kelty's number one kept his team in the contest with a superb save to push Ross MacIver's header onto the bar, but the game's big talking point came just before half-time.

Johnston gave chase to a ball played down the right, which was ushered out by Leon McCann, who seemed to go down under pressure from the home forward.

The pair then clashed, with referee Stuart sending the forward off, much to the dismay of player / boss Tidser, who continued to make his point to the official when the half-time whistle sounded.

Like in the first half, Kelty began the second brightly, with Cunningham having a free-kick deflected wide, and O'Donnell forcing Hogarth into a decent stop with a strike from range.

At the other end, Gourlay blocked from Gary Oliver, whilst Miller lashed a volley over, before Coll Donaldson had a header saved by the Kelty keeper, despite Bairns protests the ball had crossed the line.

Substitute, Aidan Nesbitt, flashed an 18-yard drive wide moments after coming on, as McGlynn's side chased a second goal, which they would have got in 65 minutes had it not been for spectacular goalkeeping from Gourlay to claw away Lang's net-bound header.

Falkirk were dictating play but Kelty were dealing with what was thrown at them well.

Substitute, Ethan Ross, had a couple of efforts that didn't trouble the home goal, as did Miller and Dylan Tait, but the Fifers were struggling to get up the pitch themselves as the second half wore on.

They had a late flurry, but they couldn't fashion an opportunity as Falkirk took a another step towards the title, as Kelty's play-off hopes took a dent.

Kelty Hearts: Gourlay, Paterson, Thomson, Lyon, Johnston, Cunningham (McGlynn 67), Tidser, L. Owens, O'Donnell, B. Owens, Bavidge.

Subs not used: McCluskey, Biabi, McAllister, Shearer, Garvie, Campbell.

Red card: Johnston (44).

Booked: Thomson (17), Paterson (42), B. Owens (73) Falkirk: Hogarth, Lang, McCann, Donaldson, Spencer, Agyeman (Nesbitt 61), Tait (Henderson 87), MacIver (Shanley 87), Oliver, Bisland, Miller (Ross 61).

Subs not used: Long, McGinn, Yeats, Mackie.

Goal: Lang (23).

Booked: MacIver (17), Bisland (72) Referee: Peter Stuart.

Attendance: 1,437.