Follow the leaders as duo set pace
KELTY HEARTS and Forfar still lead the way after a 2-2 draw – with both bosses knowing their No.9s are crucial to their challenge.
The Loons centreforward Matty Aitken scored for the third game in a row when he converted a penalty in the 17th minute after opposing keeper Darren Jamieson had clattered into him as they jumped for a cross.
Kelty hit back when star striker Nathan Austin came off the bench to mark his return from an ankle issue by heading a leveller just five minutes later.
Forfar retook the lead in first-half injury time after a Kelty shot was blocked in their box, racing up the park to net through Craig Thomson 14 seconds later.
Austin grabbed his second equaliser 19 minutes after the break when he forced the ball in after it flashed across the home side’s goal and Joe Cardle nodded it goalward.
Forfar player-boss Gary Irvine said: “Matty has come back from Albion Rovers a different player.
“He’s strong and is using his body well, he’s a threat in every match. I knew he could add things to the squad and I’m delighted with how he is playing.”
As for dropping points Irvine added: “I saw some frustration in our dressing room afterwards – that tells me our standards are high.”
Kelty boss Kevin Thomson reckoned they could have taken the points and said: “Schoolboy defending in the first half gave us a mountain to climb. We were better in the second and are a bit disappointed not to win.”
But he added: “We need a presence in our attack and Nathan gives us that.
“We need to keep him fit as when he is on the park, he scores goals. He gives us something different when he plays.”
Annan boss Peter Murphy praised his side as they recorded a 3-1 win at home to Stirling Albion.
He said: “It was a strong, all-round performance so we are delighted.”
Chris Johnston put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute and Iain Anderson made it 2-0 after the break.
Kurtis Roberts pulled a goal back for Stirling in 73 but Tommy Goss finished off a good counter-attacking move to wrap up the win.
Kane Hester scored a hat-trick to help Elgin to a 3-0 against Albion Rovers.
Hester’s first snuck in off defender Aldin El-Zubaidi and he grabbed a second by the break before hitting No.3 two minutes after the restart.