Kelty Hearts 0 Montrose 2
Kelty boss Michael Tidser was saddened that his side just “fell short” of making it into the play-offs but said he hopes to build on the experience for next season.
Hearts’ hopes of making it into the top four were ended after a home defeat at the hands of Montrose who claimed the sought-after last play-off place with their 2-0 victory at New Central Park.
It was always going to be an outside chance with Montrose beginning the match three points better off and Cove Rangers also still in the mix, sitting a point above Kelty.
And it wasn’t to be for Michael Tidser’s men. A goal in each half from Blair Lyons was enough to see Kelty’s hopes disappear for another season in a game which provided few clear cut opportunities for the Fifers.
Describing the tie a their biggest game of the season, Tidser said his players had been “unbelievable” this season.
“It is hard to be too critical because they have given me everything and we just fell short,” he said.
“It is a real learning curve. What we came into at the start of the season, if you offered me this I would have bitten your hand off for it, so to go 90 minutes away from potentially being in the play-offs, is a remarkable achievement for the lads and all the staff, so we go again.
“We refresh, we go next week, try and win down at Hamilton and finish the season on a high and we go again next season.
“They have been great for me so I couldn’t be too angry.”
The first half proved a fairly even affair with both sides enjoying their share of possession.
Lewis Moore tried his luck early on but his curling shot was collected easily.
There was a lucky escape for Kelty with just over 10 minutes on the clock. Kyle Gourlay produced a great reaction shot and a follow-up effort was then headed off the line by Brad McKay.
However the luck didn’t last long and minutes later, Montrose were ahead when Lyons was put through by Andrew Steeves and calmly slotted into the back of the net.
On the 30 minute mark, Stefan McCluskey picked up a Lewis Moore cross and fired in a shot from the edge of the box but it went wide.
Another long range effort was delivered through Lewis O’Donnell on 39 minutes after Michael Tidser had teed up a free kick across the box to him. However that was saved.
The second half started brightly for Kelty and they had their best chance of the match within five minutes when Alfie Bavidge picked up the ball and found himself one-on-one with the keeper.
He attempted to slot the ball past Ross Matthews but the Montrose keeper appeared to get a touch and the ball slithered just wide of the post for a corner.
It was Montrose, however, who were celebrating minutes later when they ventured up to the other end of the pitch and doubled their lead.
It was Lyons again who picked up the ball in the box, turned and shot past Gourlay.
Kelty continued to press but without any real success. Ross Cunningham tried his luck from well outside the box on the hour mark but his attempt went over.
Montrose looked dangerous soon after when Kane Hester went through on goal but Gourlay was quick to react and collect.
Kelty piled on the pressure in the dying minutes with Billy Owens driving a shot from well outside the box towards goal but his effort was wide.
Citing loanee starlet Alfie Bavidge’s miss as being a factor that could have changed the game, the Kelty manager said it was a “massive” moment.
“It's just unfortunate he has kind of sclaffed it by the post but that is football,” he said.
“The kid has been absolutely phenomenal for me this season. The reason we were 90 minutes from potentially being in the play-off is because of players like him. I'm really, really pleased with him.
“We will go to Hamilton next week and try and win the game like we have tried to do all season.
“We want to try and finish as high as we possibly can, whether that’s points in terms of financially for the club if it helps.
“Every game of football I want to win regardless of whether we are rock bottom or top of the league, you just want to win, and the boys, I will just recharge them this week, and we will go again next week.
“We have always done well down there. They have got the play-offs to look forward to on Tuesday so we will go down, play the way we play, take the game to them, try and win it as always, and see how we get on on the day.”
Kelty Hearts: Gourlay, Paterson, Thomson, McKay (Owens B 73), Lyon (McGlynne 57), Johnston, McCluskey, Tidser (Cunningham 45), O’Donnell, Bavidge (McAllister 68), Moore. Subs: Biabi, Owens, Campbell, Garvie, McGiffin.
Bookings: Tidser
Montrose: Matthews, Williamson (Hermiston 83), Steeves, Webster, Hester (Batchelor 68), Gardyne, Lyons (Craig 83), Dillon, Graham, Callaghan (Shrive 60), Brown (Machado 60). Subs: Watson.
Goals: Lyons (15, 53).
Attendance: 689
Referee: Stewart Luke
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