Falkirk 0-0 Kelty Hearts

KELTY HEARTS ended a run of three successive defeats with a battling draw at Falkirk tonight which boosted near neighbours Dunfermline's title hopes.

After conceding 10 goals in their last three outings - including 6 on their last away day, at Airdrieonians - John Potter's men produced a disciplined, hard-working performance to earn a point that inches them towards safety.

Kelty are now 19 points clear of second bottom Clyde, who were thumped 5-1 at home by Airdrie tonight, and now cannot be caught by the Bully Wee who, along with Kelty, have six games left.

Bottom side Peterhead, who are 22 points behind, have played two games fewer, so could still catch the New Central Park outfit, but it looks all-but certain the 'Maroon Machine' will be remaining in League One next term.

A late push for the promotion play-offs looks unlikely - they're 14 points adrift of Alloa Athletic, who sit fourth and in the final play-off slot, ahead of their game at Peterhead tomorrow - but this result has handed the Pars a further boost in their bid for the title.

The Bairns are now eight points behind Dunfermline, who go to Montrose tomorrow knowing that victory would send them 11 clear with seven games to go.

Kelty have taken seven points from a possible 12 against John McGlynn's side, and this was a result that they thoroughly deserved.

Although Callmn Morrison had a first half goal disallowed for offside, and Brad McKay had a header cleared off the line by Kanayo Megwa, they restricted the Scottish Cup semi-finalists for much of the game.

Nathan Austin had Kelty's best opening early in the first half but, thanks to a team performance boss Potter was delighted with, they picked up a fine point on the road.

"The effort was incredible, really, I thought," he said.

"Look, can we play better? Yeah. Can we be better with the ball? Yeah. But, in terms of the fact that these are guys that have been out all day working, and to come to a place like Falkirk who are a top team, a really good team who move the ball well, good squad, good subs, to come and work as hard as they did, and get a clean sheet, it's really, really hard work. We managed to do that.

"There were one or two things going the other way, but it was a difficult night to get the ball and pass it. We were good, and I'm delighted with how we worked, and we got our clean sheet."

Home counterpart, John McGlynn, said: "I don't think we've dominated a game as much all season to be honest with you.

"We had so much of the ball, but it's what you finally do with the ball at the other end of the pitch. We've never had as much of the ball all season, probably won't have as much of the ball for the rest of the season, but we've not managed to get a goal."

The visitors made one alteration to the team that conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to suffer defeat at home to Montrose on Saturday, with Arron Darge dropping to the bench in place of Joe Cardle.

The home side were looking to move to within six points of leaders Dunfermline, who go to Montrose tomorrow, but they were largely flat throughout the opening 45 minutes.

That was credit to Potter's men, who defended crosses into their box well for the most part, and executed their game plan excellently.

Indeed, it was Kelty who had the game's first opportunity.

Cardle slipped the ball to Alfredo Agyeman, who netted twice in the 3-2 victory for the 'Maroon Machine' at the Falkirk Stadium in October, who showed great skill to dip his shoulder, move away from his marker, and fire an inviting ball across the six-yard box.

Austin, a former Bairns player, was there but the ball had too much pace on it, resulting in him only being able to divert the ball wide.

It was encouraging, though, but McGlynn's outfit soon served notice of their ability going forward when Morrison, their main threat in the opening half, picked out Gary Oliver with a cross, but he could only head off-target.

There wasn't much to get the crowd on their feet until the 27th minute, when the home fans thought they were cheering a goal - only to be denied by an offside flag.

Centre back, Coll Donaldson, received the ball in space and, from range, took on the invitation to shoot.

Although Darren Jamieson got behind his effort, the ball spilled loose and, whilst Morrison did the needful and lashed home, the assistant's flag was raised and the goal chalked off for offside against Kai Kennedy.

Leon McCann had a go from distance as frustration began to grow amongst the home crowd, clearing the bar, before Tam O'Ware, at the end of the half, did well to intercept just over halfway, advance forward and shoot, only to send the ball wide.

Early in the second half, home howls for a penalty as Morrison went down in the box were waved away, despite claims for a push, whilst the same man sent a free-kick well over after Cardle had sent a deflected effort into the arms of Bairns keeper, Brian Kinnear.

Oliver's clipped ball to the near post saw Aidan Nesbitt flick wide, as the hosts still tried to find some inspiration, which Morrison almost provided.

The wide man did well to find space at the edge of the box before getting a shot away, which Jamieson did well to push clear.

McKay came even closer, having a header cleared off the line by Kanayo Megwa, whilst substitute, Craig McGuffie, headed over from close range.

Kelty captain, Michael Tidser, had Kinnear backtracking when his ball forward from inside his own half - whether he meant to shoot, or find Agyeman on the right, is up for debate - was collected by the keeper, before McGlynn sacrificed defender Liam Henderson for forward Rumarn Burrell to try and find a winner.

However, despite their efforts, they couldn't breach the visitors' goal as Kelty earned a well-deserved point - and did their near neighbours a favour ahead of next weekend's derby at East End Park.

Match stats

Falkirk: Kinnear, Rowe, Henderson (Burrell 84), Donaldson, C. Morrison, Nesbitt (Lawal 70), McCann, Oliver (Allan 64), McKay, Kucheriavyi, Kennedy (McGuffie 64).

Subs not used: Williamson, Yeats, Wright, Mackie, PJ.Morrison.

Booked: Henderson (69).

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Megwa, Thomson, O'Ware, Martin, Milne, Tidser, Barjonas, Cardle (Leitch 80), Austin (Shearer 84), Agyeman.

Subs not used: Darge, Philp, Hill, McCulloch, Campbell.

Booked: Barjonas (58), Cardle (71).

Referee: Ross Hardie.

Attendance: 3,707.