Kelty Hearts had to settle for a draw at Ochilview after Stenhousemuir came back from two goals down to snatch a point. A brace from Ricco Diack saw the Maroon Machine ahead before late goals from Matty Aitken and Scott McGill leveled things.
After peppering the Stenhousemuir goal to no avail, Kelty made the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Luke McCarvel darted into the box before laying it off to Craig Johnston, he drilled a cross into Ricco Diack who prodded home from close range.
Ricco Diack doubled his own and the team’s tally in the 71st minute through a stunning free-kick. After winning a foul with a positive attacking run, from around 25 yards out Diack lifted it over the wall and beat Jamieson into the right.
Stenhousemuir got back in the game in the 84th minute through Matty Aitken. Kinley Bilham’s deep cross from the left met Aitken’s outstretched leg which beat Ryan Adamson and nestled into the back of the net.
Four minutes later the equaliser did come through Scott McGill. Another cross was delivered by Bilham but this time Jack Brydon headed away. His clearance was only as far as McGill though, he lined up a shot from just outside the box which thundered towards goal. Ryan Adamson did get a touch but it came back off the cross bar and over the line.
Kelty showed a real attacking intensity early on, with a golden chance right from kick off. Neat play down the right saw it crossed into Johnston who saw his shot and subsequent follow-up saved by Darren Jamieson.
At 2-0, Kelty had a golden chance to get a third and surely but the match beyond doubt. High pressing from Joseph Teasdale was rewarded after he robbed Gregor Buchanan. Running through one-on-one it was Jamieson who came out on top doing well to make the save.
Reflecting on the game to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware admits he was “sickened” by the way the game ended. “We came with a game plan and changed our shape a bit, I thought we were excellent in that first 45. We were in full control up until 75 minutes… it’s just that game management we struggled with.”
Written by: Jamie Szmitz
Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)