KELTY HEARTS assistant boss Kevin McDonald believes that this weekend's Scottish Cup clash will be a gauge of the level they hope to reach.

League One Montrose – managed by Pars legend Stewart Petrie – are the visitors to New Central Park in a third round tie for which Kevin Thomson's number two reckons his side are underdogs.

Goals from Connor Barron – his first for the club – and Joe Cardle maintained Kelty's unbeaten run in League Two, which now stands at 14 games, on Saturday against a Stenhousemuir side who themselves had won their previous five games in all competitions.

The SPFL newcomers lead the way at the summit by 10 points from Forfar Athletic and, with a second successive promotion a target, McDonald is keen to see how the 'maroon machine' will fare against the Links Park side, who have yet to taste defeat in eight games on the road in their division, having beaten Falkirk at the weekend.

"It's a nice step away from the league," he told Press Sport.

"We'll be underdogs; Montrose are in the league above and are one of the best part-time teams in Scotland at the minute.

"We played quite well against them in pre-season (a 1-1 friendly draw in July) but they didn't have a few of their players playing, and our squad has changed a bit since then as well.

"That (League One) is where we want to get to so it will give us a gauge of where we're at."

Kelty will go into the tie in fine fettle after a sixth league maximum from eight on home turf against the Warriors, with on-loan Aberdeen midfielder Barron setting them on their way.

The 19-year-old accepted Andrew Black's fine pass between the visiting centre backs before producing a composed finish from just inside the penalty area after only seven minutes, and the home side had further opportunities to stretch their advantage.

Cardle in particular had unsuccessful routes to goal before the break but, five minutes after half-time, he notched his ninth goal of the campaign when Kallum Higginbotham teed him up from Alfredo Agyeman's pass.

"We knew it would be difficult as Stenhousemuir were on the back of five wins in a row," McDonald continued.

"We've bumped into teams on runs; Stirling Albion (unbeaten in six), Cowdenbeath, who had a new manager and it was a derby, Forfar, who were unbeaten in seven, and Stenny. It's been a tough month but it went as well as it possibly could.

"After we scored early, it became quite comfortable. We'd like to have scored more goals but a win and a clean sheet? We can't complain."

McDonald revealed that defender Thomas O'Ware, who this week has accepted a role to join the staff at the Rangers Youth Academy, missed the Warriors win with a hamstring problem but could return this weekend.

At the time of going to print, it was unclear whether Barron and fellow Aberdeen loanee, Kieran Ngwenya, would be cleared by their parent club to play, and the Montrose match is set to come too soon for Jamie Barjonas.

The midfielder, who broke his wrist in the last round against Buckie Thistle, could, however, be available for the trip to Elgin City on December 4.

Meanwhile, O'Ware, who last August was appointed as Troon's development team head coach, will join the staff of the Ibrox academy in a role he will combine with turning out for Kelty.

The 28-year-old, who began his career within the 'Gers youth set-up, has completed his UEFA 'A' licence and, in addition to leading Troon's development side to the top of their table, helped 12 players make their first-team debuts.

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Hill, Forster, Philp, Ngewyna, Black, Tidser, Barron (McNab 87), Cardle (Biabi 73), Higginbotham, Agyeman (Austin 73). Subs not used: Hooper, Reilly, Finlayson, Donaldson.

Goals: Barron (7), Cardle (50).

Booked: Forster (13), Hill (45).

Stenhousemuir: Wilson, Lyon, Crighton, Miller (Coll 64), Jamieson, Forbes (Lyon 55), Hughes (Graham 55), Christie, O'Reilly, Anderson, Brown. Subs not used: Marshall, Tapping, Corbett, Tierney.

Booked: Miller (63), Brown (72).

Referee: Mike Roncone.

Attendance: 571.