Queen of the South 4 Kelty Hearts 1

KELTY HEARTS were unable to secure three points in outgoing manager John Potter's final game in charge as they fell to defeat at Queen of the South on Saturday.

The New Central Park club ended their maiden League One campaign at Palmerston with a loss as Ruari Paton's double, and efforts from Harry Cochrane and Connor Murray, won it for Marvin Bartley's side.

Although Alfredo Agyeman, with his 10th goal of the campaign, had halved the arrears to 2-1 at the break, Kelty's run of three victories from three league encounters with the Doonhamers was brought to a halt.

It also meant that Potter, who is now set to leave the club, ended his one season in charge on a disappointing note.

Last month, it was confirmed that the former Dunfermline boss was to depart the club, alongside general manager and managing director, Dean McKenzie, and sporting director, Andrew Barrowman.

It had been widely reported that McKenzie and Barrowman would be part of a consortium looking to take a controlling stake in Raith Rovers, which was confirmed on Friday, and Press Sport understands Potter is also set to take up a sporting director role at Stark's Park.

READ MORE: 'It's been an honour' says outgoing Kelty general manager as Raith move confirmed

Current Kelty captain, Michael Tidser, will assume the manager's role next season, with Stefan Winiarski and Craig Reynolds, who have been heavily involved in the Kelty Hearts Community Club, replacing McKenzie and Barrowman.

It is set to be a transitional campaign ahead and, speaking to Press Sport prior to the trip to Dumfries, Potter had revealed he had held discussions with Tidser "about guys that he maybe wants to see on the pitch, because it'll be him that's making decisions for these guys going forward".

Liam Campbell was given a second successive start in goal, whilst Reis Peggie, Joe Cardle, and captain for the day, Ross Philp, came into the starting line-up.

They replaced Kyle McCulloch, Robbie Leitch and Kallum Higginbotham, from the side which won their final home match of the season against Peterhead, but the visitors were behind after only seven minutes.

Cochrane's volley from 20 yards out found the back of the net and, in the 27th minute, Paton made it two when he won the ball inside Kelty's box, rounded Campbell, and slotted home.

Agyeman, who had earlier been denied by goalkeeper, Gordon Botterill, halved the deficit six minutes later when, after winning the ball and driving into the box, fired a shot low into the bottom corner of the net.

The Doonhamers, though, scored a third 20 minutes into the second half when Murray slid in to score from Lewis Gibson's ball across the six-yard box, before Paton completed the scoring from the spot after his shot had been blocked by Jack Milne.

It means Kelty, who have the majority of their squad out-of-contract this summer, according to the TransferMarkt website, finished eighth on 40 points, 16 clear of the relegation play-off spot, and 17 adrift of the occupants of fourth, and the final promotion play-off place, Alloa Athletic.

Kelty Hearts: Campbell (Jamieson 45), Megwa, Peggie (Hunter 70), Martin, Darge (Graham 79), Cardle (Shearer 89), Barjonas, Philp, Milne, Agyeman, Lyon.

Sub not used: Kamgna Jnr.

Goal: Agyeman (34).

Booked: Milne (45).