Kelty Hearts' League One survival confirmed after Stirling Albion win

MICHAEL TIDSER has said he "always believed" that Kelty Hearts would steer clear of relegation danger after they confirmed League One survival on Saturday.

Stefan McCluskey's first half strike was enough to give them victory over Stirling Albion at New Central Park, which was a third successive win.

Not only did the 'Maroon Machine' pick up their fourth maximum from their last five outings, and avenge a 5-0 thumping in their last encounter with the Binos in January, the result guaranteed they can't finish second bottom and in the relegation play-off spot.

Kelty are nine points above both their weekend opponents, who sit ninth, and eighth-placed Annan Athletic, with three matches left to play.

Goalscorer Stefan McCluskey hitches a celebratory lift from team-mate Lewis Moore. (Image: David Wardle.)

However, with Stirling and Annan playing each other at Forthbank on the final day, it means that Kelty can't be overhauled by both of those teams, ensuring they will avoid being involved in the relegation play-offs.

"I hate to sound a bit big time, and it's easy to say it now, but I always believed we were good enough to stay in the division, if not push even further," player / boss Tidser told Times Sport.

"For all that I'm pleased, there's still that wee bit of 'what if' sort of thing, with some of the games that we probably should've picked up points, but that's football. If you don't learn from it then there's no point being in the game.

"All-in-all, I'm pleased for the club, but, now, can we go and push and see how strongly we can finish the season?"

In a game that Tidser felt was impacted by the wind, McCluskey, who has played at right back in recent weeks, was in the right spot to finish after Lewis Moore played the ball into his path in the 33rd minute to give Kelty the lead.

They went on to see the match out, and Tidser continued: "The conditions weren't great.

Captain Reece Lyon challenges Josh McPake. (Image: David Wardle.)

"I don't think it was great across any of the games in Scottish football, but with the one or two chances that we created first half, we managed to stick one away, so that was pleasing in that respect.

"Then we defended really well as a team under, as I say, tough conditions. They were throwing the kitchen sink at it, so I was really pleased with the lads. It's a big three points and it just secures us in the league, but it just keeps that good run going, which is more important to me than thinking or worrying about what's behind you really."

Ahead of Montrose's match at relegated Edinburgh City on Tuesday evening, Kelty, who host Stewart Petrie's side on the penultimate weekend, were just four points behind the Links Park side, who sit fourth and in the final promotion play-off place.

"I know it's still possible, but the other teams have got games to win as well, so you can't rely on anybody else," Tidser added.

"I just think that if we fall short - I think it might just be a wee stretch too far for us - we've hit a good bit of form. I think we've won four of our last five games, which is remarkable, really.

"That's us got our squad back now and you often wonder and think, if we'd had that for the full season, where we'd be, but that's life I suppose."