Kelty Hearts 3 Annan Athletic 1

A PERFORMANCE described as "really convincing" by assistant manager Kevin McDonald powered Kelty Hearts to another League Two win on Saturday.

The division's leaders followed their late success over Cowdenbeath last midweek by seeing off third-placed Annan Athletic at New Central Park to move 12 points clear at the summit by the close of play.

Forfar Athletic, who were second, have now been leapfrogged by Annan - who are 11 points back from Kelty - after they won 4-1 at Albion Rovers last night (Wednesday).

Owen Moxon put through his own net with a header from Michael Tidser's free kick to give Kelty a fifth-minute lead, which the outstanding Jamie Barjonas doubled 11 minutes later with a superb curling shot from the edge of the penalty area after cutting infield from the left.

Kevin Thomson's team had further opportunities, which included Barjonas being denied by a superb save from Greg Fleming and Joe Cardle shooting wide, before the latter sealed the points with an effort that squirmed under the keeper with 18 minutes to go for his 15th goal of the campaign.

Although Robert McCartney slotted home a consolation for Annan – "the sorest point of the day" for McDonald – it was another significant step towards the title for Kelty, who have two games in hand over Annan, and one over third top Forfar, who lost at Stenhousemuir on Saturday.

"Conceding the goal was the sorest point of the day really – we wanted a clean sheet," McDonald said.

"But we were really convincing; we created loads of chances and we looked really dangerous.

"I think we could've scored more, especially in the first half. Probably the last 20 minutes got a little bit scrappy, when they started to bang it long up to the big boys they brought on, and we were just trying to see the game out.

"I can't think they'll have any arguments with the scoreline."

On Boxing Day, Annan inflicted Kelty's first League Two defeat of the season – a chastening 5-1 defeat at Galabank – and McDonald admitted that that had provided additional motivation.

"Their changing room was right next to ours and we heard the cheers and stuff, and it hurt," he continued.

"A little bit of revenge was there, and a little bit of motivation for the boys to repay that, so that helped. It gave a little edge to the game on our part, so maybe that did play a part in the result in the end."

With Forfar losing at Stenhousemuir, Kelty's advantage at the top was extended into double figures, having played a game fewer.

Noting their position in the table, with 11 games left, McDonald added: "If you'd ask me at the start of the season, we'd have bitten your hand off, 100 per cent.

"We're in the right position to try and get to where we want to get to. I don't want to tempt fate but if we win our game in hand, and then pick up your home wins, you won't be far away."

Match stats

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Philp, Hooper, O'Ware, Ngwenya, Black, Barjonas (Finlayson 82), Tidser, Higginbotham (Cardle 11), Kucheriavyi, Agyeman (Austin 61). Subs not used: Peggie, Reilly, McNab, Biabi, Donaldson.

Goals: Moxon (5, OG), Barjonas (16), Cardle (72).

Booked: Philp (58), Austin (90).

Annan Athletic: G.Fleming, Barnes, Douglas, Swinglehurst, Lowdon, Moxon, Docherty, Hunter (Wallace 63), Johnston (McCartney 75), Smith (Goss 62), Garrity (Anderson 88). Subs not used: Adamson, K.Fleming, Clark, Steele.

Goal: McCartney (78).

Booked: Moxon (37), Douglas (52), Lowdon (84), Swinglehurst (90).

Referee: Ross Hardie.

Attendance: 617.