EXPERIENCED defender Jason Thomson believes player / boss Michael Tidser deserves plaudits for the season Kelty Hearts have had.

And the 36-year-old said if they'd had more luck in the campaign, they might be going into the penultimate weekend looking to hold on to a promotion play-off place rather than chasing one.

Thomson and his team-mates impressed during their draw at champions Falkirk on Saturday, in which he saw a goal-bound header cleared brilliantly from the line by Dylan Tait.

The point, combined with a defeat for this Saturday's opponents Montrose, who sit fourth and in the final play-off place, moved Kelty to within three points of Stewart Petrie's side.

Cove Rangers sit fifth, a place and one point above the 'Maroon Machine', with all three teams harbouring hopes of earning a shot at promotion to the Championship.

"To think where we've come from, and we'll kick ourselves that we've had spells in the season where, if we had picked up one or two more points, we might've actually been in that play-off spot," the former Heart of Midlothian, Dunfermline and Raith Rovers man told Press Sport post-match at the Falkirk Stadium.

"Every team will have their own story throughout the season, saying we could've won this game, we could've won that game, and we're no different.

"You'll speak to the gaffer and he'll probably have frustrations but, at the same time, he's taken on a fully new squad that finished eighth last year that, arguably, are probably now in a tougher league as well.

"League One's probably stronger this year than it was last year.

"I think it's full credit to the gaffer, Geordie (Kevin McDonald, assistant manager), Davie (McGurn) and the full coaching staff for what they've managed to do and the team they've put together."

Thomson admitted there were mixed emotions in the Kelty ranks after the game with the Bairns, who played for more than 70 minutes a man short, after Coll Donaldson was sent off.

As well as Thomson's effort off the line, the visitors hit the bar through Alfie Bavidge, and had a Lewis Moore effort well saved in a second half they dominated.

"If you'd asked me at the start of the game, you're obviously going to say that probably a point is decent, especially with the run that Falkirk have been on," he said.

"Just the way the game panned out, we managed to get ourselves back into the game at 2-2, and then, second half, we've had chances. I've had one cleared off the line and we've hit the bar.

"They were dangerous on the break as they're going to be, so it was probably quite a good game for the neutral. If we had got all three points, could they have complained? No, and they'll be delighted with a point, which keeps their unbeaten run going.

"Games against Falkirk this season, barring the one when we were beaten 5-1 quite comfortably at home, we've given a good showing of ourselves, which is good because they're a top team.

"You see what they've done in the league. They've ran away with it and I fully expect them to probably go and have a go at the Championship next year and be in and around it.

"I think for us we can obviously take the point and I think results went our way with Montrose and Cove.

"We might still slip into those play-offs but it'll be a bit of an ask, and waiting on other teams to do us a wee bit of a turn."