KELTY boss Barry Ferguson admitted he was relieved after his players fought back to stretch their lead at the top of the league.

Hearts were trailing to a Danny Galbraith penalty at Gala Fairydean Rovers before mounting a second-half comeback.

Nathan Austin and Stephen Husband netted either side of the hour to secure the three points.

Ferguson said: “There’s no doubt Gala were the better team in the first half and I wasn’t happy.

“They were fighting for their lives and they deserved their lead.

“A sign of good players, though, is the way they react and we were much better in the second half.

“We knocked the ball about well and the only criticism is that we didn’t score more goals.”

The win takes Kelty six points clear of Bonnyrigg Rose having played two games more.

Gala manager Neil Hastings was disappointed his players gave up their advantage at the break.

He said: “You look at the experience and quality Kelty have, yet I thought we were more than a match for them at times today.

“We just need to be a little better with the ball.”

A late Dean Watson strike secured a valuable point for struggling Gretna against Berwick Rangers at Raydale.

Hamish Thomson had fired the visitors in front on his debut just after the hour.

Despite hitting the woodwork twice Stirling University were held to a goalless draw by Spartans at Forthbank.