Kelty Hearts 3 Stirling Albion 2
Kelty sealed their first league win of the season in dramatic fashion, with substitute Robbie Cole heading home a last-minute winner in a five-goal thriller against Stirling.
The Maroon Machine appeared to be cruising in the SPFL League Two contest after Lewis Moore’s early opener and Ryan Shanley’s controversial second before the break.
However, the Binos fought back through a Jordan Allan penalty and a late Russell McLean strike, only for Cole to capitalise on a goalkeeping error to snatch all three points.
Kelty boss Tam O’Ware made three changes to the side beaten by Forfar Athletic last weekend, with Callum Hannah, Kallum Higginbotham and Zack Flatman coming in for Callum Flatman, Dylan Corr and Ross Cunningham due to injuries and illness.
Nineteen-year-old defender Flatman made his first start for the club.
New signing Thomas Falconer, who joined from St Mirren on the morning of the match, was named among the substitutes. Stirling, meanwhile, included Pars youngsters Lucas Fyfe, Daniel Dobbie and Zeke Cameron in their starting XI.
Kelty had struggled at New Central Park last season, with their first League One victory at New Central Park not arriving until April, but they made a fast start here.
The home side took the lead after seven minutes. Hannah drove forward from left-back before laying the ball off to Moore, who cut inside onto his right foot. With space opening up in front of him, the winger fired a powerful 25-yard effort beyond goalkeeper Andrew McNeill and into the bottom-left corner.
Kelty had the better of the opening stages, although neither side created much in the way of clear chances. A curling Finlay Moffett corner found a player at the back post, who squared the ball across goal for Jack Brydon, but his effort sailed over the bar.
The hosts continued to enjoy success down the left, with Hannah’s cross finding Shanley, whose stretching header looped over. At the other end, Dobbie’s free-kick was punched away by Jamie Smith before Fyfe sent an inviting ball across the face of goal, but no Stirling player was able to apply the finishing touch.
The away side began to grow into the contest around the half-hour mark, but Hearts doubled their advantage in controversial circumstances in the 32nd minute.
A long ball forward was aimed towards Higginbotham, who appeared to push his marker in the back. The referee allowed play to continue and the ball fell to Shanley, who took it onto his right foot before firing into the top-left corner.
Shanley celebrated in front of the visiting support, shushing the Albion fans as tempers began to flare. Minutes later, Connor McManus, Shanley, Gordon Walker and Allan were all booked, while Cameron was cautioned shortly afterwards as the match became increasingly scrappy.
Billy Hutchinson became the sixth player to enter the referee’s book in a frantic 10-minute spell after bringing down Kelty’s number nine. The hosts had the final chance of the half when Shanley headed wide from a cross from the left.
Stirling introduced McLean at the break and began the second half on the front foot. The sub had a good opportunity in the 54th minute after latching onto a loose ball in the box, but Smith made a strong save with his right leg.
McLean was denied again soon afterwards when he got on the end of a chance from close range, with the home side's goalie again getting down quickly to keep the effort out.
Kelty had appeals for a penalty waved away after Walker’s right-footed cross found Moore, whose first-time volley struck an Albion defender - the unsuccessful claim was that it hit an arm. But the visitors kept pushing and were rewarded with a penalty on 65 minutes.
Fyfe beat his man before lifting a cross towards the back post. Brydon attempted to clear but handled the ball, leaving the referee with little option but to point to the spot. Allan stepped up and calmly sent Smith the wrong way.
The Binos sensed an opportunity and Allan should have levelled moments later, but dragged his effort wide from the edge of the box.
Kelty responded by bringing on Cole for Higginbotham, whose departure was greeted by loud boos from the away support. The substitute quickly had a chance when he broke through on goal, but could only fire straight at McNeill.
Thomas Falconer also went close as the home side began to regain some control, his long-range effort drifting narrowly wide. However, Stirling equalised in the 80th minute.
Fyfe was again involved, playing McLean through on goal. The striker made no mistake this time to complete the comeback.
The Maroon Machine refused to settle for a point and continued to push forward late on.
Their persistence paid off with two minutes to go when Shanley’s delivery should have been comfortably claimed by McNeill. The Stirling goalkeeper spilled the ball, allowing Cole to dive in and head home the winner.
Cole, who missed 10 months of last season through injury, proved the difference-maker as Kelty secured a memorable first league victory of the campaign.
Kelty Hearts:
Smith (GK), Hannah, Brydon, Z Flatman (Murray, 83'), Walker, Moffett (Falconer, 67'), Ferguson, McManus, Moore, Higginbotham (Cole, 71'), Shanley
Subs: Adamson, Murray, Cole, Falconer, Fellows, Snoddy
Booked: McManus (36’), Shanley (37'), Walker (38’), Brydon (65’)
Stirling Albion:
McNeill (GK), McNab (Hepburn, 61'), Banner, Wright (Thomas, 61’), Denham, Fyfe, Hutchinson, Dobbie, Cameron (McLean, 46’), Allan, Crane
Subs: Thomas, Hepburn, McLean, Russell, Laird, Raine, Gould, Duffy
Booked: Allan (37’), Cameron (39’), Hutchinson (43’), Fyfe (64’)
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