2-1 defeat by title-chasing Kelty Hearts ends Gala Fairydean Rovers’ longest winning run for eight years

The Galashiels side were hoping to rack up their seventh victory on the trot, but their visitors, Fife’s Kelty Hearts, had other ideas.

There wasn’t much in it, just the odd goal in three, but that was enough to secure all three points for title-chasing Hearts, managed by former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson.

The visitors were first to score at Netherdale, Douglas Hill heading home from a free-kick taken by Dylan Easton quarter of an hour in.

Scott-Taylor Mackenzie equalised 20 minutes later, shooting on the turn in a packed penalty area from a corner, cementing his standing as the Scottish Lowland Football League’s joint-second-highest scorer with six goals so far, three behind Stirling University’s Jamie Penker.

Five minutes later, however, Easton put Kelty back in front with a strong shot past Rovers goalkeeper Fraser Morton and the scoreline was to stay that way until the final whistle.

That defeat saw Rovers slip one place to seventh with 18 points after nine games, though level on points with sixth-placed Bo’ness United.

Kelty are up to second place but level on 24 points with table-toppers BSC Glasgow and with two games in hand.

Next up for the Borderers is a trip to Stirling University on Saturday, December 5, for a game kicking off behind closed doors at 3pm.

The students are currently one league place and two points behind Neil Hastings’ side despite having played two more games.

Full match report to follow in this week’s Southern.