Tie beats Storm Bram but Arbroath beat Kelty in KDM Evolution Trophy

Kelty Hearts defeated Storm Bram but saw their hopes springing a cup surprise washed away by a late Arbroath fightback on Tuesday evening.

Tam O'Ware's League One strugglers threatened to spring a KDM Evolution Trophy surprise at Gayfield, surging into a two-goal first half lead.

However, the Lichties reduced the arrears, before turning the tie around with two goals in as many minutes towards the end of the 90 minutes, to take their place in the last 16.

Despite its location next to the North Sea, the adverse weather hitting the country did not stop the match going ahead in Angus.

The visitors arrived on the back of a chastening 3-0 home loss to Montrose, fierce rivals of Arbroath, who were 2-1 winners at Dunfermline in the Championship on Saturday.

David Gold and Colin Hamilton's team moved third with that victory, whilst the Maroon Machine sit at the basement in the third tier, but the away side started brightly.

Craig Johnston, on the turn, had an effort saved by Lichties goalie, Jordan Pettigrew, before they took the lead in fine style just 16 minutes in.

A clearance out of his own box by Jack Wilkie fell to the feet of Alex Ferguson, who took one touch before unleashing a superb strike from around 20 yards, which flew beyond the helpless Pettigrew.

Alex Ferguson fired Kelty Hearts ahead in their KDM Evolution Trophy defeat at Arbroath. (Image: David Wardle.)

It got even better for Kelty four minutes from the break as they doubled their advantage.

Following a challenge on Lewis Moore inside the box, which he wanted a penalty for, but didn't get, Luke McCarvel latched onto the loose ball.

From the goal line, he laid the ball back to Brody Paterson who, from the left, sent a vicious ball into the box, which deceived Pettigrew, and nestled in the back of the net.

Brody Paterson doubled Kelty's lead, but Arbroath fought back to claim victory. (Image: David Wardle.)

Unfortunately for O'Ware and his team, their advantage was halved a minute before the break, when Ryan Dow's corner found the net, via what looked like a touch from Craig Clay, as he and O'Ware sought to defend it.

After the interval, Aaron Muirhead's deflected free-kick flew narrowly over Kelty's bar, before his thumping volley from long range was spilled by Corey Armour, who recovered well to deny Nikolay Todorov on the follow-up.

With six minutes to go, Kelty conceded when Arran Pettifer's free-kick from out wide somehow found its way into the net, before they lost a third, and decisive goal, two minutes later.

With the visitors struggling to clear their lines, Jack Wyllie's attempt to do so was charged down by Pettifer.

The ball then struck O'Ware back into the Arbroath man's path and, although Armour blocked his attempt, it fell kindly for substitute, Dapo Mebude, to tap home the winning goal.