KELTY HEARTS boss Michael Tidser said his side will "take the positives" from their fine performance at Ross County despite exiting the Viaplay Cup.

The League One side fought back from two goals behind, and a 3-2 deficit with four minutes to go, to earn a draw against their top flight opponents, before clinching a bonus point with a penalty shoot-out success.

Player / manager Tidser takes his side to Montrose for their League One opener with Montrose this weekend and was enthused by his new-look outfit's performance over the course of their Group D campaign.

An opening loss to Greenock Morton – who qualified in second place as one of three best runners-up – was followed by wins over Edinburgh City and Stranraer, before the fine showing in Dingwall.

Tidser told Press Sport: "The boys were great on Saturday.

"We've gone toe-to-toe with a Premiership side and got the bonus point. It was just a shame we didn't go through because we had a good wee cup run there, in terms of the three, four games.

"It's a good start but it counts for nothing. The real stuff starts this week, and I emphasised that to them at the weekend.

"We have to take the positives from it. On Saturday, it took us 25-30 minutes to settle ourselves down, by which we were then a goal behind, and then they scored a second.

"But, as I said to you a couple of weeks ago, there's just something in the group. I can't really put my finger on it - I don't know if it comes from me, or comes from within - but they don't seem to stop. They don't give in.

"We've got goalscorers all over the park, so we know that if we get a chance, and take it, we're straight back in the game. That proved to be the case on Saturday."

He added: "We've come a long way in such a short space of time.

"We're not going to shout from the rooftops, because I know how quickly football changes, but in terms of how we've started, and what I'm seeing, I'm really pleased.

"If we can just keep adding to that, and building momentum, hopefully that can take us into the league."