Kelty Hearts: Joe McGlynn scores twice in Edinburgh City win

KELTY HEARTS assistant boss Kevin McDonald praised opponents Edinburgh City after his men were made to work hard for three crucial points on Tuesday evening.

The capital side are adrift at the bottom of League One with just four points after a tough season that has included a six-point penalty for a breach of SPFL rules, including a failure to pay their players.

A raft of their squad which started the campaign have subsequently departed, but the team that they have put together gave a good account of themselves at New Central Park.

The home side began the game brightly but, following a mistake in defence, Oliver McDonald took advantage to slot City ahead after 18 minutes.

On-loan Hamilton Academical forward, Joe McGlynn, soon headed Kelty level from Brody Paterson's cross.

His first goal for his new club was soon joined by a second, 10 minutes into the second half, when he was on hand to convert Stefan McCluskey's cross at the back post.

Substitute Ross Cunningham looked to have settled the contest with eight minutes remaining when he netted a sensational lob for his sixth goal of the season, but Findlay Marshall's stoppage time strike gave the hosts a nervier ending than they'd anticipated.

Ross Cunningham netted Kelty's third with a fine lob. (Image: David Wardle.)

Kelty had won 3-0 at Meadowbank 10 days prior to this rearranged fixture, and have won all four meetings of the clubs this season in the league and Viaplay Cup, but McDonald said: "Three points is the most important thing.

"Performance level, 100 per cent could've been better. I thought Edinburgh were really good. They were good a couple of weeks ago when we won 3-0.

"They tried to pass the ball and played quite expansive, but the most important thing was three points. That's us four points off third, so it was just important to get over the line.

"I think, with Edinburgh's situation, where they are in the league, people are looking from the outside and just expect you to go and win. It's not easy to win a game of football, especially when Edinburgh are probably playing quite free and quite expansive.

"They do try and pass it, and they've got some really good players that are on loan from Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts, so they've got good players. I've no doubt that they will beat somebody soon because they do try and pass the ball and play.

"Like I said, we just wanted three points tonight. It's been a big week, beating Edinburgh away, Edinburgh at home, then having the Queens game in between. Seven points from nine is perfect for us."

Kelty stay sixth in League One, four points behind third-placed Alloa Athletic, who defeated Annan Athletic on Tuesday, and three behind fourth-top Cove Rangers and the final promotion play-off place, ahead of Saturday's trip to Montrose, who are two points above them in fifth.

Goal hero McGlynn added: "I'm very happy. Most of all I'm happy with the three points, it's very needed, but obviously scoring goals is what I want to do.

"I feel like I probably should've had three, so I'll be kicking myself tonight, but two goals, I'm happy with that. Maybe even four I should've had but, listen, two goals - happy days."

Kelty Hearts: Gourlay, Corbett (L. Owens 45), Paterson, Thomson, Lyon, Johnston (McAllister 84), McCluskey (Cunningham 70), Tidser, O'Donnell, B. Owens, McGlynn.

Subs not used: McKay, Biabi, Campbell.

Goals: McGlynn (26, 55), Cunningham (82).

Booked: B. Owens (76), Johnston (78) Edinburgh City: Adams, Mitchell, Flatman, Ewen, Parker, Sambou (Pitt (90), Marshall, McDonald (McNamara 81), Deane (Wilson 45), Fisher (Zaid 45), Faye (Mair 81).

Subs not used: Quate, Devine.

Goals: McDonald (18), Marshall (90).

Booked: Faye (25), McDonald (35), Flatman (87), McNamara (90).

Referee: Steven Kirkland.