Tam O'Ware was pleased with his Kelty Hearts squad after they opened their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a bonus point on the road.
The League Two side travelled south to Queen of the South, a division higher than them, in Group A on Saturday.
Ross Cunningham's thunderous drive gave them the lead just before the half hour and, although Nicky Clark levelled, the Maroon Machine won an extra point after a penalty shoot-out.
O'Ware was particularly impressed with his team's first half display, which saw Lewis Moore, Cunningham, and Ryan Shanley all go close before the opening goal.
After a period of patient passing, Alex Ferguson fed the ball to Cunningham who, from inside the penalty area, let rip with a rasping shot that flew into the roof of the net via the underside of the bar.
Kelty's advantage, though, lasted only three minutes when Clark, appointed Doonhamers player / manager in the close season, flicked home a Liam Smith cross at the front post.
Callum Flatman came agonisingly close to restoring the visitors' advantage, crashing a header off the inside of the upright from a Cunningham free-kick, whilst the latter, Finn Moffett, and Dylan Corr, were all thwarted before the interval.
Moffett in particular continued to threaten after the restart, whilst Kelty goalkeeper, Jamie Smith, denied Kurtis Guthrie, who also sent a header narrowly off target.
Smith was on form to keep out further efforts from Clark and Guthrie, whilst Cunningham was denied by a fine stop from the Doonhamers' trialist goalkeeper.
The match ended in a draw, and then went to penalties to determine who would gain a bonus point.
Cunningham, and Queens' Jack Stott, both had their attempts saved, before Connor McManus converted for Kelty.
Smith then blocked from Zander Mackenzie, allowing Ferguson to put the away side 2-0 up, before Taylor Charters replied.
Kallum Higginbotham, having completed a return to New Central Park, made it 3-1, after which Moore had his effort saved, after Smith had scored for the hosts.
Benjamin Luissint netted for the Doonhamers to make it 3-3, before Corr converted for Kelty, who picked up the bonus point after hero keeper Smith saved from Jack Hannah.
"I thought we were really good for where we're at in the season," O'Ware said.
"I was really impressed with the boys, especially first half. I thought we were excellent for the first 45 minutes, created a numerous amount of chances.
"The only disappointment was conceding so quick after we went ahead.
"The goal that we scored was fantastic. I can't wait to watch it back.
"Overall, our general play going forward was really pleasing. We controlled large parts of possession, our structure behind the ball was really good.
"So, overall, pleasing.
"The second half, we started well, but the last 15-20 minutes, you saw us running out of steam a wee bit.
"Again, it's a young bench.
"We know we've still got bodies to come in but, overall, really happy."
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