Tam O’Ware was disappointed not to have secured Kelty’s first home victory of the current League One campaign, after an entertaining second half that could easily have gone either way.
Alexander Ferguson levelled the score with a spot-kick just after the break, after a sloppy opening period that saw Brian Easton put the visitors one in front.
The manager said: “It’s frustrating because for 45 minutes we were excellent and dominated the game, but in the first half we didn’t start well enough.
“They showed a great reaction to get the goal, and created three or four excellent chances. It’s a game we deserved to win.
“We looked a real threat but didn’t take our chances. That’s the last seven games that we’ve not done that.”
A pass-back from Jack Brydon early in the game gave Dick Campbell’s side a great chance to take the lead with a lesser-seen indirect free kick.
O’Ware commented: “That summed up the first half, mentality and concentration. They weren’t up to the fight, slacking on decision making and clearing danger.”
But the hosts were let off the hook as Nathan Austin’s power-shot failed to make it past a wall of Maroon.
Kelty seemed to lack energy, and far too many misplaced passes ensured that East Fife had the better chances to begin with.
Lewis Moore produced the hosts’ brightest attacking moment when he dribbled the length of the park before putting a low effort just wide of target.
Apart from that there was very little to shout about, and the Methil men capitalised on a sloppy showing when Easton smashed home a close-range strike following a corner that first bounced off the head of Sam Fisher then Aaron Arnott.
Goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay made a terrific fingertip save to keep the away team from doubling their advantage, and Kelty made their way back to the changing room for a rollicking.
“I don’t really raise my voice and give them a rocket, but at half time I did,” said O’Ware.
The team that came back out seemed much more up for it, and recent substitution Cameron Cooper was tripped by Easton when it looked like he was about to score.
Referee Euan Henderson pointed to the spot, and it was Alexander Ferguson who stepped up. Goalkeeper Ruaridh Adams guessed correctly, diving to his left side but still not managing to block the well-placed bottom corner shot taken by Alexander Ferguson.
Austin came ever so close to regaining his side’s advantage when the ball dropped to his feet just a few yards out. But Gourlay stood firm and dealt with the danger.
The equaliser had teed up a nail-biting finish and supporters around the stadium held their breath when Murray put Lewis Moore through one-on-one. Sadly for him, his effort bounced off Adams’ leg and made its way over the crossbar.
Another chance to snatch all three points was missed when nobody managed to get on the end of a great first touch cross from Sam Fisher.
In the end, it was East Fife who let out a sigh of relief after not conceding from a corner right before the final whistle.
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