Kelty Hearts: Michael Tidser reflects on Inverness draw

MICHAEL TIDSER was full of praise for his injury-hit Kelty Hearts squad after their draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle - despite his belief they can play better.

The 'Maroon Machine' remain proudly at the top of League One following a stalemate with Duncan Ferguson's Highlanders, who are aiming for a swift return to the second tier following their relegation last season.

There was little to choose between the teams at New Central Park, in their first-ever league meeting, and only their second in competitive football, as the hosts recorded a third successive clean sheet.

With two wins and two draws, they lead the way on goal difference from Alloa Athletic, and achieved it despite losing player / boss Tidser, and captain, Tam O'Ware, to injuries in the opening period.

Kelty were already without the services of Lewis Moore, Adam Corbett, Liam Brown and Robbie Cole and, when asked if showing a different side to their game to earn a draw was a plus, Tidser replied: "One hundred per cent.

"You've called it perfect there, especially when we need to make two subs, myself and Tam, who are important to the team in terms of experience and being older ones.

"I've touched on that before. The lads that came in, I thought they were excellent, without us playing the way we can play.

"We can play a lot better, but sometimes you need to roll your sleeves up.

"I think a point was a fair result.

"I said to the players that they've got to go and push the boys that are starting, and try and get in the starting 11, because it's a long season. We're only at game four, so we need boys to be at it, get ready to come in and play, and perform.

Scott Allan in action for Kelty. (Image: David Wardle.)

"It's not just coming in and being happy to sit on the bench. They need to go and show me that they should be starting games. The lads that came in, I thought they did really well. They did the dirty stuff and did it well.

"It's a point and a clean sheet, so we're happy, but there's always more."

Caley, who in the summer scrapped a plan to train at New Central Park during a summer of turmoil off the pitch, were searching for their first league win of the season, having drawn two and lost one of their three outings.

They could have been behind in the first half had it not been for their goalkeeper, Musa Diagba, who produced fine stops to deny Scott Williamson, Luke McCarvel and Ross Cunningham, whilst his opposite number Ruairidh Adams, was called upon to thwart Keith Bray after spilling an Adam MacKinnon shot.

Experienced forward, Billy McKay, had Inverness' best chance on the stroke of half-time, sending a first-time effort over from 18 yards, after which both Tidser and O'Ware had to be substituted for Kelty.

They stood up to the challenge, however, with a Charlie Gilmour header wide, and an off target shot from debutant Paul Allan, who signed for Caley ahead of kick off, having left Dunfermline in the summer, as close as they came.

Cunningham, from a free-kick, and Scott Allan had attempts for the hosts, but couldn't find the target as the spoils were shared.

"Don't get me wrong, first half, I probably thought we maybe created the better chances, without anything clear-cut, maybe with longer-range shots," Tidser noted.

"They had a great chance with Billy McKay, he puts it over the bar when you'd usually expect him to score, but the game was a bit open, a bit stretched. There wasn't a lot of quality, it was more a battling performance, but, listen, it's a point.

"It's another clean sheet, so, overall, I'm pleased."