Bo'ness United 1 Kelty Hearts 0 KELTY HEARTS’ proud unbeaten Super League record came to an end on Saturday as they fell to Junior Cup conquerers Bo’ness United at Newtown Park.

Colin Leiper’s second half strike was enough to consign Thomas Courts’ table-toppers to defeat in the east region’s only match to beat the weather after it was switched from an unplayable Central Park.

The Kelty boss said that he did not have any complaints over the result and while he was disappointed with the defeat, he praised his players for the “remarkable turnaround” in becoming title challengers after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.

He told Press Sport, “To have taken six points back-to-back away to Linlithgow and Bo’ness would’ve been a massive statement from us but I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted the run we’ve been on.

“I always had faith in every player that we signed but it was whether they would gel into a successful team. It has been a good journey so far but I want the players to get all the credit because they are easy to manage and have the same levels of ambition that I do.

“We’re not making any bold predictions as other clubs like Bo’ness, Linlithgow and Newtongrange Star have a bit more experience in being in this position before, but we’re just really enjoying being in the mix just now.” The visitors’ cup exit to their opponents last month had been their only defeat of the season before Saturday’s reverse but their cause before this match was not helped by injuries. After defender Chris Hughes failed a fitness test, captain Shaun Greig pulled up in the warm-up before Courts himself was forced off with a back problem only 30 minutes into the contest.

An even and largely uneventful first half saw the first decent chance fall to Bo’ness just before half time when Hearts defender Mark Morrison cleared a Paul Murphy header off the line.

But the decisive goal came just before the hour mark when Scott Pittman made his way into the box and found Leiper, who fired a low driven shot beyond Kyle Allison and into the Kelty net.

The visitors’ number one then produced a smart block to deny Pittman a second goal for Bo’ness and a disappointing day for the visitors was completed in the game’s final minutes as Morrison was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Kelty remain five points clear of second-placed Newtongrange Star ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sauchie. Courts added, “I felt in the first half we were playing within ourselves and in the second we huffed and puffed. The week before at Linlithgow we were dynamic and created a lot of chances, but we lacked that on Saturday.

“Using Linlithgow as the benchmark, we took that game by the scruff of the neck but on Saturday it was almost like we were waiting on each other doing something. That was disappointing but the endeavour and effort from the boys was first class and we’d love to sign off for Christmas at Sauchie with three points.

“We want to achieve something special this year but we are aware no trophies are handed out in December.” Meanwhile Rosyth boss Lee Richardson says his players are “champing at the bit” to return to action this weekend after enjoying their Christmas night out on Saturday.

Rec, second in the South Division, travel to face third-placed Whitburn looking to put further distance between themselves and the West Lothian outfit after their game with Harthill Royal fell victim to the weather.

It has been a stunning season so far for Richardson’s team, who have lost just twice in the league so far. He told Press Sport, “The players were really disappointed that Saturday’s game was postponed so we are looking forward to Saturday. They’ve got a new manager – Tom Hendrie who was at St Mirren is there now but we’ve got nothing to fear and will go through there and hope for a win. We beat them earlier in the season so we don’t see any reason why not, although they do play on astroturf which could be a bit of a leveller. If we can go into the Christmas break with three points, that will take us further away from them with two games in hand and we can look to push for second place.” Richardson will be without defender Lewis Hamill and midfielder Scott Gilfillan, but confirmed Scott McCrindle will be in the starting line-up for the first time since completing his return to the club from Ballingry Rovers last month.

The manager added, “The team spirit is excellent and I’m never worried if we go a goal behind because the likes of Tam Hampson, John McDairmid and Kevin Goodwin are all scoring.

“We’ve got goals all over the pitch and are solid at the back. When Jock Steel and I came in last season, we always said it was a three-year plan to challenge for promotion so it has come quicker than expected, which is a massive bonus.

“We’ve still got a lot of tough games to go but hopefully we can keep the momentum going after Christmas.” Also in the South Division, Crossgates Primrose will go in search of only their second win of the season against Lochgelly Albert at Humbug Park while Oakley United will not resume Premier League action until next month.

l Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 1.30pm): McBookie.com Super League – Sauchie Juniors v Kelty Hearts. McBookie.com South Division –Crossgates Primrose v Lochgelly Albert, Whitburn Juniors v Rosyth.