Montrose 3 Kelty Hearts 3

JOHN POTTER says his Kelty Hearts need to turn draws into wins despite watching them salvage a last-gasp point at Montrose.

In stoppage time at Links Park, Nathan Austin finished off a superb team move to net his third goal of the season and ensure the 'Maroon Machine' headed home with something for their efforts following a dramatic match.

Three penalties, refereeing decisions that were questioned by the Kelty boss, and the lead exchanging hands all contributed to an engrossing afternoon that ended with the thrilling climax of Austin's goal.

"Overall, a draw was probably fair, between two evenly-matched teams," Potter told Press Sport.

"But we need to start picking up wins. I did make the point earlier in the season that, if we weren't winning, then we need to at least make sure we get draws.

"We've managed to do that in recent weeks."

Potter's side had lost twice to the team led by his former Dunfermline team-mate, Stewart Petrie, with their last meeting in Fife ending with the Gable Endies netting twice in the last minute to snatch victory.

This one started better for Kelty, though, who took 13th minute lead from the penalty spot.

Darren Lyon's cross from the right was inexplicably handled by Andrew Steeves, allowing Kallum Higginbotham the opportunity to bury his effort into the right-hand corner for his third goal of the campaign.

Montrose, however, were level just four minutes later - and left Potter feeling aggrieved.

Despite Rory McAllister appearing to stray offside in the build-up, play continued and, in the left-edge of the penalty area, Blair Lyons was adjudged by referee, Calum Scott, to have been fouled by Higginbotham.

McAllister netted from the spot and, three minutes after that, he had another goal.

Michael Gardyne's shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the air by Lyon as he attempted to block and, despite offside appeals from the visiting players, the ball broke for McAllister to nod in from six yards.

Kelty attempted to respond, with Alfredo Agyeman having an effort deflected wide, and Austin heading over, but the hosts blew another chance from 12 yards just moments after the interval.

Lyons was felled by Michael Tidser, allowing McAllister the chance to claim the match ball, but he blazed his kick over the bar.

Agyeman had a decent effort saved by Ross Sinclair, and Austin headed over, but Kelty did level with 17 minutes to go when Reis Peggie, who played an initial pass into Higginbotham, received the ball on the run from Joe Cardle before lashing across goal and into the net.

That was the 23-year-old's first goal for the club, but it was soon cancelled out by Craig Brown's first-time strike from Steeves' cut-back, that appeared to have won it for Montrose.

However, in stoppage time, a patient, passing move from halfway saw the visitors work the ball to Cardle, who shifted it left for Peggie, who crossed low for Austin to secure a draw from close range.

"It was dramatic," Potter continued.

"It was an up-and-down game. We got the penalty and scored early, which was great, but then we lost two goals, which was disappointing. The first one was offside, and then it's not a penalty, and the second one was offside as well.

"We lost goals that we shouldn't have, but we came back, and scored two good goals in the second half."

Montrose boss, Stewart Petrie, agreed that a point each was the right outcome, and heaped praise on Kelty for the quality of their equaliser.

Speaking to Press Sport, he said: "Probably over the piece, a draw was probably about the right result. I don't think any team deserved to lose the game.

"Good side. John's got them going great. They're doing really well at the moment, so it was never going to be an easy game.

"I've watched the third goal and it's outstanding, their equaliser. It's an outstanding goal when you look at it back on the tape, so fair play to them.

"Fair play for keeping going, and I guess it's evened itself out, when we were down at Kelty and I thought we were very fortunate we scored late on to win the game down there.

"Obviously we've lost the goal late on up here, so it's certainly evened itself out."