KELTY HEARTS player / manager Michael Tidser felt his team were "probably not as brave as we should be" after his side were knocked out of the SPFL Trust Trophy at Dunfermline.

However, he admitted that the main objective was to get through the last 16 tie without sustaining any injuries after he could only name four substitutes at KDM Group East End Park - which included goalkeeping coach, Dave McGurn.

Craig Johnston's fourth goal of the season gave the 'Maroon Machine' a 15th minute lead, but the League One leaders were pegged back eight minutes later when Chris Kane headed in for the Pars.

Matty Todd, who had come on as a 13th minute substitute, following an injury to Dapo Mebude, then finished off a fine team move to put the Championship hosts ahead just after the half hour mark.

READ MORE: Pars fight back to beat Kelty in SPFL Trust Trophy derby

Kelty were unable to seriously trouble Dunfermline, who had a Kane strike after the break disallowed for offside, thereafter, as they lost the Fife derby.

Tidser was without on-loan goalkeeper Ruairidh Adams, and defender, Sam Harding, who were both cup-tied after playing for parent club Dundee United's 'B' side earlier in the tournament.

He was also without the likes of Luke McCarvel, Scott Allan, Lewis Moore and Adam Corbett, and he commented: "I thought we started the game really well, obviously got our goal, and then we have a wee dip.

"We're probably not as brave as we should be. To be fair, they're a good side, they press well, probably better than most teams in our league. But then, going into the second half, they dominated for larger spell, but in saying that,) I've literally got 14 players out there.

"My goalie's not played much, (Callum) Flatman's coming back, wee Billy's (Owens) not played much, Robbie Cole's not played, so, the positives for me today, as defeatist as it sounds, is getting through the game without any injuries and then the loan boys will come back next week, myself will come back.

"Listen, I don't like getting beat, but the boys done enough to show that, you know, they're good enough to come and play, and it's something for us to build on."

Dunfermline assistant manager, Dave Mackay, praised his team - who are ninth in the second tier - for their response to Johnston's opener.

"I thought we did respond really well," he commented.

"Obviously losing Dapo early as well and the stoppage, and then conceding the goal, it wasn’t a great start for us, so the way we responded after that, I thought we did really well.

"We controlled the vast majority of the game and limited them to very little, to be honest. I was pleased with how we played from that point onwards after the goal.

"We could have done with a third goal. We did score a third one and it was very close. It possibly was just onside, when you're looking at the footage.

"It’s one of them where VAR would have to go into play, it was that tight, but it was a really good bit of play.

"I thought we had little passages of play that were really pleasing, with a lot of improvements in what we've seen in the last few weeks, in terms of looking after the ball.

"Obviously, when you get to the final third, you want to create a few more chances , and that final pass was missing, or the decision was maybe a little bit off.

"But we can't be too critical, I thought the players done really well.

"After going a goal behind I thought the response was excellent."