KELTY HEARTS star Thomas Reilly admitted that they were left "a wee bit annoyed" with their second half display despite seeing off Albion Rovers on Saturday.

Nathan Austin's strike after 35 seconds, followed by a Jamie Barjonas brace, helped Kevin Thomson's team to a 3-1 win that kept them 14 points clear at the top of League Two.

They are now just a maximum of three wins away from clinching the title, and will hope to earn the first of those in a rearranged clash with the Wee Rovers in Coatbridge on Wednesday evening.

Barjonas' first of the afternoon gave Kelty a 2-0 lead at half-time, but Albion rallied in the second period, given renewed belief thanks to Callum Wilson's goal just shy of the hour mark.

On more than one occasion, the hosts were reliant on goalkeeper Darren Jamieson to preserve their advantage before Barjonas' late clincher, with a stop from Blair Malcolm at point-blank range the highlight.

Reilly, who made his first start since a January win at Stirling Albion, hailed an important victory but admitted there was still some frustration in the Kelty ranks.

"The (first) goal came so early that it almost takes the sting out of the quick start and the high tempo that you want to show, so you need to get back on that pretty quick," he told Press Sport.

"I thought we were comfortable. We controlled the first half pretty well and we knew ourselves that they were going to come out in the second half and have to have a go, because they were losing.

"Did we deal with it properly? No, we didn't. We need to deal with these situations better because it's a couple of times that we've had that wobble and we've not dealt with it properly.

"We're an experienced team and we should be defending well when teams do have a go and then get our foot back on the ball and controlling it again.

"You're expecting them to get opportunities, or you're expecting them to at least control part of the game at some point. It's how easy we let them have the opportunities that's making us as a squad, and the staff, a wee bit annoyed.

"You've got to turn it around quick because we've got another big game coming up on Wednesday. We know what they possess when they want to have a go, so we need to be ready for that, and especially on their pitch, we'll need to roll the sleeves up, try and control the game again, but also show the other side that they will want to battle with us.

"I think we've got players at the top end of the pitch that can hurt any team, whether they sit in or come out. Sometimes, when a team comes out, it does actually help with the space that it leaves.

"We hope that, if they do decide to have a wee bit more of a go, that our attacking players can get on the ball and hurt them."

Kelty assistant manager, Kevin McDonald, when asked if there was anything he could put the second half performance down to, commented: "Not really, just momentum.

"I think monentum in football is massive, and they get momentum off a few little chances, then you concede a goal, and momentum in football swings.

"That's all I can put it down to; a bit of momentum and players not taking enough responsibility individually to get the game back by the scruff of the neck.

"First half, we were 2-0 up, and we had massive chances as well. We had total control. DJ didn't make a save in the first half, yet in the second half, you're relying on him for two massive saves, and even on the back of that, they had shots that went over, free hits from the edge of the box.

"We've massively rode our luck and Albion Rovers will be disappointed. They'll look to Wednesday night and think they've got a little bit of a chance now.

"First half I thought we had real control. We went in 2-0 up and it probably could've been three or four to be honest. We just didn't turn up second half; we didn't come out.

"Albion Rovers scored and then we took a bit of a wobble and we were right against the cosh. We've relied on DJ for two massive saves.

"The game could've swung massively. It's not been the first time to be honest; we've had 2-0 leads at half-time and then we've been disappointing.

"But, then, Barjo's bit of quality, a little one-two, and we ended up winning 3-1 but we're really disappointed with the second half.

"It needs to be better than that."

Dougie Hill was forced off through injury but McDonald confirmed that the centre back was just suffering from cramp.

Dunfermline Press:

Nathan Austin celebrates his opener with Joe Cardle (above) while Jamie Barjonas hails his brace (below). Photos: Dave Wardle.

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