Kelty Hearts earn League One win at Queen of the South

KELTY HEARTS moved closer to consolidating their place in League One after picking up a vital victory at Queen of the South on Saturday.

Lewis Moore and Craig Johnston's efforts either side of half-time proved decisive for Michael Tidser's side in Dumfries, despite a Reece Lyon own goal briefly levelling matters, as the visitors moved nine points clear of second bottom Annan Athletic.

A third win from four meetings this season with the Doonhamers - with the other ending in a draw - has taken the 'Maroon Machine' to the brink of avoiding finishing in the relegation play-off spot with four matches left.

"All in all, it's a big three points for us, but I said that to them before the game - we were coming down here to win the game," Tidser told Kelty Hearts TV post-match.

"I've always been like that. Even as a player, you can't go in thinking we'll take a point. We wanted to win, the boys proved that and, as I said, it's a big three points for us."

Kelty took the lead after only 15 minutes when Moore, from distance, sent an effort into the top corner of the net to register his sixth goal of the campaign.

In tough conditions due to strong winds, the visitors maintained their advantage until the 66th minute, when Josh Todd's effort took a deflection off Lyon on its way home, but within two minutes, they were back in front.

After fine play by Moore won his team a corner, Johnston was able to take advantage of goalkeeper Harry Stone failing to deal with the delivery to poke home his second goal in as many games, taking his tally for the season to double figures with 10, and what proved to be the winner.

"Obviously, the conditions played a major part in it. The wind's blowing a gale - I think it's 30-40mph winds," Tidser observed.

"In the first half, we had it at our back, and you need to take advantage of it because we saw how hard it was for them to get out.

"Moorey scores a worldie and, to be fair, I see him do it all the time. He's got that real quality in the final third.

Lewis Moore opened the scoring for Kelty. (Image: David Wardle.)

"He puts us a goal ahead, we go in at half-time, and me and Geordie (Kevin McDonald, assistant manager) stressed to them the importance of we can't just go long, because it'll just keep coming back down our throat.

"We tried to be brave at times at play out, and I thought we did that at times, without being brilliant, but we were trying to keep the ball on the deck.

"Obviously they score, and then we get straight up the park. It's great play from us to then win the corner - I think it was Moorey again who does brilliant, goes by two or three, gets a shot off, keeper saves it - and then the corner comes in and CJ does what good strikers do. He poaches and he gets there. I'm delighted for him as well."

Up next for Kelty is a home clash with Stirling Albion, who eighth and six points behind them after a 5-1 home humbling by rivals Alloa Athletic, on Saturday, and their player / manager added: "I thought defensively today as well the back four were excellent.

"Kyle (Gourlay) in goals, in midfield, we had to really do our bit because the wind was swirling second half. It was a real battling performance and you need to do that. That's Scottish football at times - it can't always be pretty.

"But, as I said, I'm just really delighted for everyone. The important thing is now, and I said that to them, and I'll stress it, is that we get a good week's training now.

"We've got Stirling at home and we want to go again and try and win the game again."