Kelty Hearts 3

Gala Fairydean Rovers 0

Callum Hodgson

at New Central Park

HIGH-flying Kelty Hearts overcame a dogged Gala Fairydean Rovers display to register another three points in their Lowland League title challenge on Saturday.

The Fifers struggled to break down the visitors who defended resolutely and always looked dangerous on the break.

But when Gala were controversially reduced to 10 men shortly before the hour mark, Kelty found the space to take full advantage and ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Kelty should have been in front within the opening seconds when top scorer Nathan Austin was gifted a glorious chance but he blazed the ball over the bar.

And they suffered a blow in 15 minutes when ex-Gala player Sean McKirdy limped off with a hamstring injury.

However they got the breakthrough after half an hour when Gala failed to close down Ross Philip on the edge of the box and he drilled the ball into the far corner of the net.

Gala were limited to break-aways but they had an opportunity when Hibs loanee Yrick Gallantes was scythed down on the edge of the box and referee Barry Dickson declined to play advantage and brought the play back for a free kick which was curled over the bar by skipper Danny Galbraith.

Thanks to a couple of fine saves from keeper Fraser Morton, Gala were only one down at the interval.

But their chances of getting a shock result evaporated when defender Lewis Grant was sent off for a strong challenge in front of the Kelty dug-out.

Referee Dickson appeared to be influenced by the reaction from the Kelty bench as he produced a red card.

The points were in the bag for Kelty shortly afterwards when keeper Morton bundled over Austin which would have been a penalty but this time referee Dickson played advantage and Cammy Russell fired home the loose ball.

Kelty's victory was sealed in the 75th minute when Austin broke clear down the left hand side and netted with a left foot shot into the corner of the net.

To their credit Gala kept going to the final whistle in an attempt to get a consolation goal with Ryan Mayer and Gallantes both missing the target by inches.

And Scott Taylor-Mackenzie also hit the bar with a 25 yard free kick in the closing stages.

Kelty manager Barry Ferguson said: "It has been a difficult week for us so it was all about getting the three points.

"When Gala went down to 10 men we should have kept the ball better but we have spoke about it.

"We did not play as well as we can but still managed to create a number of chances."

Gala FR: Fraser Morton, Levi Kinchant, Alex Chingwalu, Lewis Grant, Ben Herdman, Dino Leddie, Yrik Galantes, Scott Taylor Mackenzie, Alexander Murray, Danny Galbraith & Marc Berry. Subs Fernando Mendes, Phil Addison, Ryan Mayer, Niall Kelly, Kieran Ainslie & Kit McRitchie .