THE attitude and dedication of Kelty Hearts' stars has been praised by their player / boss who said that "they're giving me everything".

Michael Tidser also believes that some better fortune to go with their recent performances can help them pick up more points and stay in the mix for a promotion play-off place.

His team, who had Craig Johnston sent off, were narrowly beaten by runaway League One leaders Falkirk at the weekend, which followed a 4-2 loss at top four rivals Montrose.

The latter occupy the final Championship play-off slot in League One following the weekend's results, with eight points separating them from sixth-placed Kelty, who have 11 matches left to play.

Second placed Hamilton Academical, whose title hopes appear to be all-but over after slipping 17 points behind the Bairns, visit New Central Park this weekend, and Tidser is remaining upbeat going into that match.

"The performances have been there," he told Times Sport.

"We lost our way for maybe three, four games in terms of how we play, but in terms of attitudes and dedication, for lads at part-time football, they're giving me everything. That's all you can ask for as a manager.

"It's just wee bits of luck here and there. Last week I thought we were excellent at Montrose, come away with nothing, so I did emphasise that to them there at the end of the game, that we need to get points on the board and just keep us in there.

"It's a hard league. There's no easy games, so we just need to prepare this week for Hamilton, which will be another really difficult game.

"I'm going to say this loosely, but we're a good side. When I got this job in the summer, I wanted to try and play the right way, which I feel is the right way. Again, you need to defend at times, because you're playing against good players, but in terms of the lads, each and every one of them have given their all since the start of the season."

Kelty, particularly early on, had chances against Falkirk, with Alfie Bavidge - inside the opening minute - and Ross Cunningham both going close before Tom Lang headed in the decisive goal in the visitors' favour on Saturday.

"To create the chances we did, you've got to take them," Tidser observed.

"I know we got two, possibly three, the third one I can't really see, but you've got to take them against the team at the top of the league.

"That's not to say you'll go and win the game. Football changes in a heartbeat. We know they're a good side and it just changes the dynamics, but I'm just pleased we're creating those chances, because we lost that for a wee bit.

"Again, I'll go back to it, CJ (Johnston) will be a big miss for us, but we've got other boys ready to go and that's the important part of having a squad, albeit not a big squad. When you look at Falkirk and your Hamiton's, they're bringing on five boys that can arguably start a game. That's what you're up against but that's the nature of the beast.

"That's the job I was given and it's down to me to get the best out of them."

Tidser's opposite number, John McGlynn, said: "We’ve got Nicky (Hogarth) to thank for some fine saves during the opening part of the game. We didn’t the start the game well which was disappointing.

"We showed Kelty Hearts respect in our preparation because we know that they are a decent team who can play a bit.

"And they showed that right from the kick-off. They created a chance straight away and they went for us early on.

"After that opening period I did think we dominated the game. In the second half, when they were down to ten men, we really created a good few chances and if we take one of them then we probably go on to score three or four.

"The ball was cleared off the line on a few occasions and Kyle Gourlay made some great saves for them.

"There are so many things going well at the moment, it feels daft to actually pick out any negatives. We simply move on to next weekend. It was a struggle today but we got there."