Ross Cunningham and Scott Williamson score as Kelty beat Dumbarton

ROSS CUNNINGHAM continued his superb start to the campaign by scoring a screamer to help Kelty Hearts to victory over Dumbarton.

League One's top goalscorer took his tally to nine for the campaign with a blistering shot into the top corner early in the second half, before Scott Williamson doubled their advantage.

The win, in what was the Sons' first-ever visit to New Central Park, saw Michael Tidser's team end a run of four matches without victory in all competitions, and moved them third in the table, ahead of the late kick-off between Queen of the South and Alloa Athletic.

The hosts made one change to the team that earned a 1-1 draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last weekend, with Luke McCarvel starting in place of Lewis Moore, who was amongst the substitutes.

That point in the Highlands ended a run of three successive defeats in the league, and SPFL Trust Trophy, for Kelty, who drew 2-2 with the Sons in August, having twice led.

They began the day sixth in a tightly-congested table, sitting fourth points behind both leaders Cove Rangers, who topped the table ahead of Alloa Athletic on goal difference, and their opponents, who sat second bottom.

After a moment of reflection ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Tidser's team got the game underway, but it was Dumbarton who had the first sight of goal, with James Hilton having a low attempt saved by Ruairidh Adams after being neatly played in by a team-mate.

A moment of reflection was observed ahead of Remembrance Sunday. (Image: Newsquest.)

The same man then cannoned a free-kick into a maroon wall before Cunningham had attempts to add to his tally.

A corner into his path from Tidser saw him drive for goal, which was blocked, before he fired a second attempt that was deflected behind.

He then sent a half-volley off-target after the ball sat up kindly for him outside the penalty area, before Connor Allan saw a shot from inside the box blocked out for a corner.

Player / boss Tidser then tried his luck with a 20-yard curler, which Brett Long in the Sons goal held, before Mouhamed Niang should have done better than shoot at Adams at the other end after he found himself in on goal.

Match action from New Central Park. (Image: Newsquest.)

Luke McCarvel then had a great opportunity for Kelty when, after seizing on a loose ball out of defence, he checked inside his opponent before pulling a shot wide from 12 yards.

The midfielder went for goal again soon afterwards, but his shot was deflected into Long's arms, and then shot wide of the post after good pressing from Tidser won possession back for the home side.

Michael Ruth served notice of Dumbarton's threat, shooting into the side net after running clear and beating the offside trap, before Craig Johnston, who had fired well over a few minutes earlier, flashed a header wide of the post from Scott Mercer's cross.

At the start of the second half, the visitors had a big opportunity to go in front when Hilton hooked a ball down the left for Carlo Pignatiello to centre for Ruth, who skewed his attempt wide from six yards.

They soon threatened again, when Ruth sent Hilton sprinting into the box, only for Adams to block his attempted cut-back, before Cunningham sent a wicked delivery into the Dumbarton box from a corner, which didn't get the touch it needed to find the net.

Then, seven minutes into the second half, Kelty took the lead - and it was another moment of magic from their leading marksman.

After the ball was laid into his path by Mercer, on the right-hand side and around 25 yards out, a shot didn't look the obvious choice.

However, Cunningham elected to let rip and, with the ball swerving, it found its way into the top corner of the net, via the underside of the bar, giving Long absolutely no chance in the Sons goal.

Kelty Hearts players celebrate Ross Cunningham's goal. (Image: Newsquest.)

Dumbarton tried to respond, and Hilton flashed a fierce hit across goal and wide, but they fell further behind in the 65th minute.

A corner from the right was played into their box and fell to the feet of Williamson, who produced a fine finish into the far bottom corner of Long's net for his seventh goal of the season so far.

Cunningham then went for another spectacular, firing a free-kick wide of the far post from the left-edge of the area, before great feet by Williamson took him into the box for a shot, which was well blocked and deflected out for a corner.

In stoppage time, Johnston went close with a fine drive, just over the bar from substitute Lewis Moore's pass, but Kelty had done the business to earn three points.

Kelty Hearts: Adams, Mercer (Flatman 68), Harding, O'Ware, Paterson, Tidser (B. Owens 73), C. Allan, McCarvel (Moore 68), Williamson (Cole 80), Cunningham, Johnston.

Subs not used: Thomas, Bryce, Hobbs, Trialist.

Goals: Cunningham (52), Williamson (65).

Dumbarton: Long, Brown, Durnan, Blair, Orsi, Wilson (Gray 61), Pignatiello, Hilton, Niang, Ruth (Mumbongo 66), Miller (McGuffie 66).

Subs: Lynas, Young, Wallace, Shields, Clark, O'Neil.

Referee: Alex Shepherd.

Attendance: 507.