Kelty Hearts 0 Peterhead 1, Premier Sports Cup, Group C

KELTY HEARTS couldn't follow up Saturday's historic win over Hibernian with another as Peterhead  to all-but end their hopes of Premier Sports Cup progress.

Max Barry's stunning first half finish was enough to give the League Two Blue Toon all three points at New Central Park as Michael Tidser's side dropped to fourth in Group C.

With Queen's Park, who they face at Hampden in their final game on Saturday, beating Elgin City, Kelty are two points adrift of three teams.

Section leaders Hibernian, the Spiders and the Blue Toon all have six points, with the capital club playing Peterhead at the weekend, but even with a win at the national stadium, it seems unlikely that the 'Maroon Machine' will progress to the knockout stage.

Following Saturday's superb win over Hibernian, home player / manager Tidser made two alterations to his starting line-up.

Scott Williamson, who was substituted through injury, missed out on the match day squad, whilst Liam Brown was named on the bench.

Craig Johnston and Robbie Cole came into the side as the hosts went in search of a win to move them on to seven points, staying second in the group, and keeping themselves firmly in contention for a last-16 spot with one match remaining.

Brody Paterson showed great intent in the early stages for Kelty, making a fine run to latch on to Johnston's fine first-time pass, but his shot for goal was blocked by the Blue Toon defence.

In the 16th minute, the hosts thought they'd broken the deadlock.

Lewis Moore did well to control a ball into the box, and after creating half a yard of space with some quick feet, got his shot away from eight yards.

Blessing Oluyemi, in the visiting goal, got a hand to it but it squirmed under his body, trickling towards the line.

Despite pleas from home players that it had gone over, referee, Ryan Lee, and his assistant said it hadn't, denying Kelty the opener.

Chances had been few and far between, although Scott Ross curled over for the visitors, who then took the lead moments later.

Picking the ball up on the left, Barry, on his right foot, sent a superb curling shot from outside the area over the helpless Adamson in goal to put the League Two outfit ahead.

Barry came close to adding his, and Peterhead's, second goal just after the half hour mark when a loose pass from Paterson fell into his feet at the edge of the box and, with his left foot, struck the top of the bar from around 20 yards.

Callum Flatman's header back across goal at the far post, from a short corner between Luke McCarvel and Scott Allan, almost presented a chance for Johnston, but a visiting defender got a vital headed clearance to the ball to deny him as Kelty probed for a leveller.

Early in the second half, Johnston had a crack from distance, which was blocked, but Barry had another attempt at the other wide, sending a first-time shot wide from the edge of the box after the ball was cleared out to him.

Midway through the second half, Murray Thomas found Johnston in the middle of the Peterhead penalty area with a low cross but, under pressure, the Kelty number nine couldn't direct a difficult opportunity on target.

As the clocked ticked into the final 10 minutes, he then headed for goal from a McCarvel free-kick, but it was comfortably held by Oluyemi, before skipper Tam O'Ware got his head to an Allan corner, but there were no takers in maroon from six yards out.

Thereafter, though, Kelty couldn't find an opportunity as they fell to defeat to damage their hopes of progression.

Kelty Hearts: Adamson, Paterson, O'Ware, Flatman, Allan, Johnston, Cole (Brown 61), Miller (B. Owens 73), Thomas (Cunningham 73), McCarvel, Moore.

Subs not used: L. Owens, Walsh, Langlands.

Booked: Flatman (73), Paterson (78).

Peterhead: Oluyemi, Armstrong, Goldie, Jason Brown, McCarthy (Forrest 57), McAllister (Armour 66), Jack Brown, Scott Ross, Pawlett, Dunne (Ward 81), Barry (Sebastian Ross 66).

Subs not used: Strachan, Wilson, Jordon Brown, McKenzie.

Goal: Barry (27).

Booked: McCarthy (42), Jason Brown (52).

Referee: Ryan Lee.

Attendance: 346.