Potter rues missed chances in defeat

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Kelty Hearts boss John Potter believes his team were unlucky to leave North Lanarkshire emptyhanded after a hard-fought encounter at the Excelsior Stadium.

The Fifers were unable to add to their League One points tally as Calum Gallagher’s second-half strike separated the sides.

Potter’s men were looking to pull further away from the bottom two.

But instead Clyde’s point against Falkirk means that Kelty are eight points above the relegation play-off place and five behind seventh-placed Queen of the South.

However, the manager said: “We started the game OK then they got a bit of a hold on the game – they weren’t creating loads but were probably the better team.

“I thought second half we were good. We pushed forward, created chances and tried to score, but final ball, final cross, final shot just let us down a bit.

“Then obviously they scored but I didn’t think we deserved to lose the game.

“I might be wrong but for long spells I thought we were good but it’s been a similar story for the last few weeks.

“We’ll keep working at it because we are creating chances – not just chances but in good areas and we have to be better in that final bit.”

A cagey opening saw play bogged down in the middle of the park and the Diamonds were first to have an effort on goal, Cammy Ballantyne’s shot held by Darren Jamieson.

Kelty continued to play second fiddle to a lively home outfit for whom Lewis Jamieson, Ballantyne and Callum Smith all went close in quick succession.

The visitors had their first serious effort on goal five minutes from the break but Reis Peggie’s 20-yarder flew just wide before Jamie Barjonas had a shot saved on the stroke of half-time.

Barjonas threatened again on the restart with a strike that rose just too high while Darren Lyon and Joe Cardle also went close as the visitors showed impressive intent.

But Airdrie held firm and produced the decisive moment when Jamieson parried namesake Lewis Jamieson’s netbound shot only for Gallagher to pounce on the rebound and fire the ball high into the net.

Kelty visit Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup on Saturday and Potter added: “They’ve got a good squad so it’s going to be a difficult game. But we’re looking forward to a break from the league and hopefully we can go there and do well.”