BARRY Ferguson got off to the dream start as Kelty Hearts manager as his team opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Lowland League.

With the gate more than trebling to 560 at Central Park, a stunning strike from Stuart Cargill and a header from Ciaren Chalmers gave Hearts a 2-0 victory over Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Boss Ferguson said: “There were butterflies ahead of this game this morning – I knew what it means to get off to a good start.

“We dominated the first half and deserved to go on and win the match.

“There is a lot of quality here and I’m confident we have a team capable of going on and winning the Lowland League.”

Second-placed East Kilbride lost ground on the leaders as they crashed to a shock 3-1 defeat at Civil Service Strollers.

Cammy Muirhead netted twice with Stephen Froud also getting on the scoresheet for the hosts.

Strollers boss Gary Jardine said: “East Kilbride are a top team yet I thought we more than matched them all over the park today and thoroughly deserved the win.

“We have slipped down the table recently after a good start so I’m hoping today’s win can help us start climbing again.”

A brace from Rory Macewan helped Stirling University beat bottom side Whitehill Welfare 3-0.

Aidan Ferris also scored for Chris Geddes’s team at Ferguson Park.

A late Jordan Alexandre strike earned Edusport Academy a point against Spartans.

Stephen Macdonald had fired the defending champions in front at Ainslie Park inside the opening 10 minutes.

Second half goals from David McCauchie and Paul MacCafferty earned East Stirlingshire a 2-0 win over Gretna.

Abdul Yusuf’s late goal gave Edinburgh University a 1-0 win over Cumbernaulkd Colts at Peffermill.

A double from Declan Hughes along with a Martin Grehan strike and Jack Blaikie own-goal earned BSC Glasgow a 4-0 win over Vale of Leithen.