Kelty Hearts: Michael Tidser reacts to Falkirk defeat

The New Central Park player / manager has urged his side to "finish on a high" in their last 11 matches following their one-goal defeat to Falkirk, who moved another step towards the League One title.

Ex-Dunfermline defender, Tom Lang, headed home what proved to be the winner midway through the first half for the Bairns, who moved 17 points clear at the top of the table.

John McGlynn's side were made to work hard for their victory, however, despite playing for more than 45 minutes with a man advantage after Craig Johnston was sent off after clashing with Leon McCann.

Craig Johnston was sent off for Kelty Hearts. (Image: David Wardle.)

Craig Johnston was sent off just before the break during Kelty's defeat. (Image: David Wardle.)

Defeat for the hosts, however, has left them eight points adrift of Montrose, who sit fourth and occupy the final Championship play-off place, after they were victorious at Queen of the South, whilst Cove Rangers, in fifth, are six points clear of Kelty after beating Annan Athletic.

"I would've bit the hand off you at the start of the season to be in this position in terms of points, where we are as a squad, and what they're giving me," Tidser commented.

"There's still 33 points to play for and the boys won't give in. That's a fact, and I'll never let them drop their standards. Neither will Geordie (Kevin McDonald, assistant manager) and the staff.

"If you offered me this at the start of the season, 11 games to go, we'll just keep digging away and chipping away. Wherever we finish, we finish, but it's important we try and finish on a high.

"There's a lot of tough games, a lot of good teams, and that's the nature of the beast. We'll just see where we are come the end of the season."

Although this was a third defeat from three meetings with the Bairns this season, there were plenty of plusses for Kelty to take.

They were bright and positive in their play going forward, emphasised when, straight from kick off, Tidser sent Alfie Bavidge clear inside the penalty area, but Nicky Hogarth palmed his attempt to safety.

Alfie Bavidge came close for Kelty inside the opening minute. (Image: David Wardle.)

The visiting goalkeeper's services were required again to make an excellent block from Ross Cunningham, who took an excellent touch away from his marker from Johnston's centre, before the latter was unfortunate to turn a Bavidge ball to near the post wide.

The on-loan Aberdeen forward and Scotland under-19 cap then curled wide from 18 yards, but it was Falkirk who took the lead.

Calvin Miller collected a short corner played into the home penalty box and, on the turn, he chipped a fine ball to the far post where Lang, despite Kyle Gourlay's best efforts to keep it out, headed home the opener.

Kelty's goalkeeper then kept his side in the contest with a superb save to push Ross MacIver's header onto the bar, but the game turned further against the hosts just before the interval.

McCann ushered a ball played down the right out of play for a goal kick and, as Johnston attempted to keep it in play, bundled into his opponent.

The two appeared to clash, with referee, Peter Stuart, quick to issue a red card to Kelty's number nine, a decision that Tidser continued to discuss with the man in the middle when the half-time whistle sounded.

"I tried to speak to him at half-time and he told me he was going to book me because he doesn't want to speak to me. I was saying, I'm the manager of the club, I'm asking you a question," Tidser said.

"I said where is the consistency in some of the yellow cards? That was all it was. It wasn't just me, it was Falkirk boys as well, but, listen, that's football. You expect the ref to manage the game.

"In these sort of games you need, sometimes, decisions to go for you to try and get the rub of the green. He's sent him off. I've not seen it back - CJ was honest enough. I don't think he meant to punch the boy. Again, it's probably a wee bit of 'listen, lads, get up'. Sometimes it's nonsense.

"I feel like over the last few years referees are quick to make decisions. It's the consistency and that's the thing that frustrates you because, as I say, you need the rub of the green sometimes when you're playing against good sides.

"We didn't get it today, but that's football."

To their credit, Kelty continued to try and push forward, with Cunningham having a free-kick deflected wide, and Lewis O'Donnell having a decent drive saved from Hogarth, early in the second half.

The Bairns, though, had opportunities of their own, and dictated much of the play as the half wore on.

Coll Donaldson saw a header saved by Gourlay, despite protests that it had crossed the line, whilst Lang was denied a second goal by superb reflexes from the keeper, and Aidan Nesbitt flashed a drive wide.

Despite a late flurry of pressure in and around the Falkirk box, Kelty couldn't fashion a chance to find an equaliser, but Tidser added: "With 11 men, you're not guaranteed to go and win the game, but it gives you a better chance.

"It is what it is. I'd say it kills you, but I thought the boys were great second half, defending really well, putting blocks in, defending corners, because they're big lads as well.

"Jason Thomson, Lewis (Owens) clearing a lot of balls, Billy (Owens) is only five foot six, five foot seven, Brody (Paterson) is the same, but they're a great bunch of lads and I can't fault them for anything today, that's for sure."

Bavidge, who returned to the side after missing Kelty's last two games on Scotland under-19 duty, added: "It's a tough one to take, I think, playing so well and being a man down.

"I thought we played excellent but it was just a shame we couldn't get that goal to equalise the game because I thought we were defending excellent. Maybe we could've held in if we got that goal, but we'll move on from that, and look forward to Hamilton next week at home."