Kelty Hearts take big step towards play-off final with Brechin

Kelty Hearts are in the driving seat of their pyramid play-off clash with highland League champions Brora Rangers after a 2-0 win at Dudgeon Park last night.

The two sides finally met in a fixture which had been talked about since they won their respective leagues last season, prior to the pyramid play-offs being cancelled when Scottish football was initially suspended due to Covid-19.

Brora survived two early let-offs, with Joe Malin incredibly saving penalties from Kallum Higginbotham and Nathan Austin within the opening nine minutes.

Kelty were not to be denied the lead though with Dylan Easton’s stunning strike midway through the first half, with the Lowland League champions doubling their advantage when Higginbotham converted their third penalty of the night early in the second half.

Barry Ferguson’s men made the trip north having not played since January 9 but they looked sharp early on, with their first penalty arriving on just four minutes when Colin Williamson felled Higginbotham following Easton’s cross.

Higginbotham took on the spot-kick duties, but he was left red-faced as his attempted chip was read by Malin.

The Cattachs goalkeeper threatened to undo his good work four minutes later when he bundled Austin over as he bore down on goal, with referee Grant Irvine awarding a second penalty.

Malin redeemed himself in style by once again keeping the Fifers out, though, diving low to his left to deny former Caley Thistle forward Austin.

There was little Malin could do to keep out Kelty’s opener on 22 minutes however, with Easton advancing to the edge of the box before unleashing a strike which swerved high past Malin into the top-left corner.

Easton came close to doubling his tally moments later with a strike which drifted just wide following a corner.

Austin had the ball in the net on 34 minutes when he charged down Malin following a short Ally Macdonald back pass, but the goal was disallowed for handball.

Kelty were awarded a third penalty on 56 minutes when Macdonald was adjudged to have handled as Ross Philp tried to go past him, with Higginbotham this time making no mistake in slotting past Malin.

Brora knew a goal would give them a lifeline ahead of Saturday’s second leg and Mark Nicolson was denied by a fingertip save by Darren Jamieson as Kelty saw out the victory to take a step towards a play-off final against Brechin.

Dylan Easton celebrates scoring Kelty’s opener.