Kelty Hearts fall to Annan Athletic loss in SPFL League One

MICHAEL TIDSER has admitted Kelty Hearts face a crucial end to the League One season after second bottom Annan Athletic gained points on them at the weekend.

Following an impressive victory at home to Alloa Athletic last midweek, the 'Maroon Machine' travelled south to Galabank aiming to increase the gap on their opponents to 10 points, and ease their worries of finishing in the relegation play-off slot.

However, in a nightmare opening 38 minutes which the player / manager felt was "not acceptable", they conceded three goals which sent them to defeat, despite Tidser and Craig Johnston reducing the deficit.

"It's so frustrating," Tidser told Kelty Hearts TV.

"The goals we lose are really cheap, really really cheap. I managed to get us back in it just before half-time, and I asked the boys to show a bit of character.

"It just makes the next four, five weeks be even more important to try and win games of football."

Kelty's win over the high-flying Wasps had ended a run of five successive defeats, and four without a goal, but they had drawn all three of their previous meetings with Annan this season.

Peter Murphy's Galabankies were unbeaten in three, with their last home game, a derby win over Queen of the South, pulling them back into contention to jump out of the relegation play-off slot.

Aidan Smith, who had twice found the net against Kelty this term, put the hosts ahead after 26 minutes, before two goals in three minutes from Lewis Hunter and Benjamin Luissint had the hosts three goals to the good.

Tidser responded almost immediately, netting his third goal of the season, five minutes before the break, before Johnston, who his boss felt should have had a penalty during the match, made it 3-2 with his eighth of the campaign early in the second half.

Craig Johnston's goal couldn't lead to an equaliser for Kelty. (Image: David Wardle.)

Kelty, though, couldn't find a leveller, which Tidser felt they "probably would've deserved", and, to compound their afternoon, saw Tam O'Ware red carded in the final minute for a comment to the referee.

"Annan are a stuffy side. They're a good side, so it's not an easy place to come," Tidser continued.

"All teams in this league are good. It's all different tests but, as I say, when you give a team 3-0 of a start, it's a mountain to climb. We nearly got there but, unfortunately, we go away with no points.

"It's just players taking responsibility. It's speaking, it's being a man, being an adult. If you're not sure about something, speak to the person beside you or in front of you.

"The third goal is probably the worst; it's our corner and the next thing you know we're 3-0 down.

"I always take responsibility as well. I play my part in that as well."

Kelty, who stay sixth above Stirling Albion on goal difference, and a point clear of eighth-placed Queen of the South, and four ahead of Annan, are back in action this Saturday at home to already-relegated Edinburgh City.