Queen of the South 1 Kelty Hearts 5

KELTY HEARTS soared to the League One summit on Saturday as they stunned Queen of the South with a five-star showing on the road.

Michael Tidser's in-form side replaced their opponents at the top, rising from fourth place, after a sensational showing that the player/manager felt was a "shot in the arm" for his men.

After weathering early pressure from the Doonhamers, Ross Cunningham finished off a fine team move, involving debutant, Jacob McIntyre, and Scott Williamson, to give the visitors a 26th minute lead.

The former Clyde man then added his, and his team's second, from the penalty spot after Craig Johnston was felled by Lewis O'Donnell, now on loan with Queens having enjoyed a similar stint at New Central Park last term.

That took his tally for the campaign to six and, before the interval, Kelty's afternoon got even better when on-loan Queen's Park forward, Scott Williamson, won a loose ball in the penalty area to rifle home a third.

Peter Murphy's hosts pulled one back just before the hour mark when Michael Hewitt netted from close range but, five minutes later, on-loan Dundee United defender, Sam Cleall-Harding, nodded home his first goal for Kelty, after Tam O'Ware had headed off the crossbar from a corner kick.

Queen of the South were then reduced to 10 men when Matty Douglas was sent off for a second booking, for fouling Craig Johnston, before Williamson wrapped up a superb day by scoring Kelty's from Murray Thomas' low ball across the six-yard box.

"I thought they started bright, as I knew they would do," Tidser told Kelty Hearts TV.

"They're a good side, but once we got a foothold in the game, in terms of passing out from the back, getting our rotations right, you always make mistakes but, when you make mistakes, the boys' mentality now is just keep doing the same thing.

"Then we go and get the goals and, to be 3-0 up at half-time, especially down here - it's always been a tricky place throughout my career - I said to the lads, can we go out and show the right attitude, and mentality, and go finish the game off? We did that.

Kelty Hearts player / manager, Michael Tidser, was delighted with his side's efforts at Queen of the South.Kelty Hearts player / manager, Michael Tidser, was delighted with his side's efforts at Queen of the South. (Image: David Wardle.)

"Even though they scored, we scored another two very good goals from our perspective, and saw the game out with relative ease because they were down to 10 men.

"It's a shot in the arm for the lads because everything we're trying to do, and the things we work towards, it's all paying off. They've all bought into it and I'm just delighted with the three points."

Tidser's side have 15 points, and are one clear of Stenhousemuir, Alloa Athletic and Queens, and added: "We've watched their games, we know how they play, and know a few of the lads who were here previously.

"We knew we would come under the cosh at times but I thought defensively, again, the back four were really, really good. My only gripe is probably losing the goal and then, midfield, I would go as far to say we dominated it as well.

"Then, with Scotty (Williamson) up top and CJ's (Johnston) energy, we've always got an outball, and it proved well with us getting our goals, with Scotty dragging their defenders out.

"All in all, it's just a good day for the club, and something to build on."