Edinburgh City 2 Kelty Hearts 3, cinch SPFL League Two

A DOUBLE from Nathan Austin and a captain's goal from Michael Tidser moved Kelty Hearts seven points clear at the top of League Two at Edinburgh City this evening.

In what turned out to be a hard-fought victory, Austin's classy finish, and Tidser's superb free-kick, overturned Ouzy See's 16th minute opener by half-time.

Austin then took his tally for the season to 12 three minutes into the second half with another smart finish, which looked to have put Kevin Thomson's team on course for a comfortable three points.

But, although Innes Murray's goal with two minutes to go made it a more anxious ending than it should have been, Kelty saw it out to make it 10 league games unbeaten.

Their lead could be cut back to four points by Stirling Albion, who host Stranraer tomorrow, but they will be satisfied at leaving the capital with maximum points in the bag.

Kelty boss Thomson made three changes to the side that defeated Annan Athletic last time out.

On-loan Aberdeen defender, Kieran Ngwenya, made his debut whilst Joe Cardle and Scott Hopper returned, with Robbie McNab dropping to the bench, and Jordon Forster and Alfredo Agyeman missing out completely.

It had been a low key start to proceedings - although Cardle had been, harshly, carded for a first foul, having had an effort blocked by a City defender - when the hosts opened the scoring.

Kelty lost possession midway inside their own half and John Robertson played a fine pass for See who, having advanced into the area to the right of centre, steadied himself before firing a composed finish beyond Darren Jamieson into the far corner from around 12 yards.

If that was a goal that would have impressed Raith Rovers boss John McGlynn, who was in the crowd with assistant Paul Smith, then Austin's leveller only six minutes later may well have done so even more.

Kallum Higginbotham was the architect, playing a fine pass that split the City rearguard and had Austin racing after it.

The angle appeared to be against visitors' talisman but, from the corner of the six yard box, he clipped a marvellous finish into the top corner, at the far post, for a terrific equaliser.

Kelty were then appealing for a red card for Chris Kane, who was booked, for a handball just outside the box as they attempted to go through for a second, with Brian Schwake saving Higginbotham's resultant set-piece effort well.

The visitors' tails were up and, with eight minutes to the break, another moment of class put them ahead.

After winning another dead ball shooting opportunity, captain Tidser stepped up, 20 yards out right of centre, to curl a magnificent strike into the corner of the net that left Schwake helpless.

The City keeper, though, had to be on top form moments later to deny Jamie Barjonas at the near post, before the midfielder strode forward with what looked to be a likely opportunity, only for his shot to be blocked from the edge of the area.

Kelty started the second half the way they ended the first - on the front foot, and it brought a goal within three minutes of the restart.

It was a bit messy in defence from Edinburgh, who struggled to clear their box.

A high ball was nodded down by Cardle to Austin, who expertly and clinically fired a fine finish low into Schwake's bottom right corner from around eight yards.

Since equalising, Thomson's men had dictated proceedings, and they almost had a fourth when Cardle, having picked the ball up on the left from Austin, checked inside and shot not too far over from the edge of the penalty area.

City, though, served notice that they weren't going to give up without a fight when skipper Danny Handling forced Jamieson into saving his volley from 20 yards, but Kelty sub, Botti Biabi, almost had an immediate impact after replacing Cardle.

The forward showed fine feet to create enough space to square the ball to Austin, whose well struck effort needed strong hands from Schwake to prevent him taking his second match ball of the season, following last month's treble at Albion Rovers.

Innes Murray was unlucky with a good effort across goal that flashed just wide for Edinburgh, before Daniel Finlayson tested Schwake with a decent right-footed strike at the other end.

Ngweyna then fancied his luck, sending a rasping drive flashing over the top, before Biabi was sent running clear on the left, but his right-footer was comfortably stopped by Schwake.

It looked as though Kelty would comfortably see the game out, but Murray caused a late scare by netting with two minutes to go for Edinburgh, and all of a sudden it had become nervy for the visitors.

However, they saw the contest out to leave Ainslie Park with three vital points - and an extended lead at the summit.

Edinburgh City: Schwake, Reekie (Jarron 58), McKay, Tapping (Berry 88), See, Handling, Kane, Ferguson (Shanley 58), Kidd, Murray, Robertson (Hilton 76).

Subs not used: Quate, Farrell, McFarlane.

Goals: See (16), Murray (88).

Booked: Kane (26), Kidd (74).

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Hooper, Cardle (Biabi 64), Austin (Philp 90), Barjonas, Higginbotham, Tidser, Finlayson, Barron (Black 73), Ngwenya, O'Ware.

Subs not used: Peggie, McNab, Donaldson.

Goals: Austin (22, 48), Tidser (37).

Booked: Cardle (15), Tidser (71).

Referee: Peter Stuart.