Kelty Hearts 4 Brora Rangers 1 (6-1 on aggregate)

NATHAN Austin was the hat-trick hero as Kelty Hearts booked their place in the League Two play-off final against Brechin City. 

His perfect treble killed off any lingering hopes Brora Rangers had of rescuing this tie as the Lowland League winners completed a 6-1 aggregate victory, following a 2-0 win from the first leg on Tuesday. 

Dylan Easton's late goal added some gloss and they'll now face Brechin, who finished bottom of League Two, at New Central Park on Tuesday May 18 in the first leg of the final before travelling to Glebe Park on Sunday May 23. 

Kelty held a comfortable advantage after the midweek win at Brora but the Highland League champs weren't ready to go down without a fight and shocked the home side by taking the lead. 

Hearts had already suffered a blow with veteran centre back Dougie Hill limping out of the action after just over quarter of an hour and his replacement, Craig Reid, and the defence couldn't stop Rangers netting in the 28th minute. 

Paddy Boyle had pushed forward but when the attack broke down, no-one filled in for the left back and there was a gaping hole that the visitors exploited, with Dutch schemer Bjorn Wagenaar's fine pass allowing Greg Morrison to run clear and shoot past Darren Jamieson. 

It looked like it was game on but the turning point came almost immediately when Kelty hit back with a controversial leveller to take the wind out of Brora sails. 

Rangers were shouting loudly for a foul but the ref wasn't interested and the ball was swiftly transported up the park. 

The Highlanders couldn't clear and Austin stabbed the ball goalwards with his right boot, and although Joe Malin got a glove on the shot he was unable to keep it out of the net. 

That 30th minute strike restored Hearts' two goal cushion and Barry Ferguson's men never looked back. 

To their credit, Brora came again, Wagenaar firing just over the top from distance and Mark Nicolson's header led to a goalmouth scramble, with Kelty just managing to get enough bodies in the way. 

The Fifers were looking for a penalty - it would have been their fourth of the tie after being awarded three and missing two in the first leg - after Austin tumbled in the box. 

The tackle from Colin Williamson looked fair, he seemed to get a touch on the ball, but that didn't stop the home players giving the ref daggers as he awarded a goal kick. 

Unhappy with the first half display, Ferguson 'had words' with his team at half-time and it certainly had the desired effect. 

There were still some uncomfortable moments before they really hit top gear, Wagenaar drilling a low effort past the post and Michael Tidser picking up a booking after giving away a free kick in a dangerous area and then thumping the ball away in frustration. 

Thankfully Wagenaar tamely floated the ball into Jamieson's grateful grasp, with Brora's big men up from the back expecting a better delivery, and from there the match slipped away from them. 

A slick Kelty move in the 58th minute ended with Boyle firing over a first time cross from the left that Austin met with a downward header and the ball nestled in the corner of the net.  

The pick of the goals arrived in the 62nd minute after Austin was tripped on the edge of the area. Picking himself up, he arrowed a left footed effort round the wall and beyond the despairing dive of Malin. 

Hat-trick completed and job done, the hitman was replaced by Cameron Russell. Ferguson later explained Austin had been hampered by a slight thigh strain after Tuesday's exertions. 

It could have been a nervous afternoon when Brora took the lead but grabbing the equaliser so soon lifted the tension and, with the game done thanks to Austin's goals, they began to knock the ball about with some confidence. 

Easton had a free kick deflected wide and, after the corner was partially clear, Thomas Reilly fired an effort inches off target but mostly the home side was content to settle for what they had while Brora pushed for some scant consolation.  

They didn't get any and in stoppage time Easton completed their misery when he took aim from the edge of the box and claimed the fourth goal for Hearts.