Kelty Hearts: Craig Johnston reflects on Dunfermline defeat

The 29-year-old also insists that he and his team-mates won't be too down over their SPFL Trust Trophy exit at KDM Group East End Park as they bid to stay top of League One this weekend.

Experienced frontman Johnston netted his fourth goal of the season to put his hometown team ahead in the Fife derby, before the Pars battled back to earn victory and a place in the quarter-finals.

It's back to League One duty this weekend as Kelty, one point clear at the summit, host Johnston's former club, Montrose, who sit fifth but just two points off top spot.

"They're full-time, the league above, so the fact that we've came and it's 2-1 right to the end, where we're in it, I think that speaks a lot about where we're at as a club," he told Times Sport following the Dunfermline defeat.

READ MORE: Pars loss 'won't halt momentum' as leaders Kelty return to league action

"Obviously we've come here on the back of a few good victories and that, so, I think we're in a good place.

"It was frustrating today you didn't get the win, but we're still in a good place, and it's not like it's taking a big effect on the changing room. We'll still be in a good place come next week for getting back to the league.

"We've came to a full-time team gave it a good go. We've got good momentum in the league. We had a couple of weeks in a row where we weren't quite at it but, since then, we've bounced back and are sitting top.

Johnston put Kelty Hearts ahead at KDM Group East End Park. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"It's obviously a good place to be when you're at the top end of the table instead of the bottom, but we'll just keep taking it week in, week out and working away."

Johnston was on hand to react quickest and steer the ball home for the opening goal from close range after Dunfermline goalkeeper, Deniz Mehmet, had pushed away a stinging Ross Cunningham drive.

Whilst delighted to hit the back of the net, the Kelty number nine felt conceding an equaliser, and then a second, in a spell of less than 20 minutes changed the flow of a game in which he felt they didn't play to their best.

"I thought we were good, without playing to our full potential," Johnston said.

"Obviously we go in front and spells in the game, I thought we were on top, but credit to them, they had spells as well.

READ MORE: Kelty 'weren't as brave' in Dunfermline loss - Tidser

"I thought overall we were good, but it's frustrating that we weren't quite at where we could be, so that's how we came away without the win.

"The overriding feeling was like, we done ourselves proud, but without actually playing to how we could. I think if we played to how we could, it might have been a wee bit of a different story because I do think that they were there for us today, but it didn't quite happen.

"To be fair, we were short. Obviously boys are cup tied, a couple of boys injured too, so we were a wee bit shorter than we usually are, so it could take an effect on you in the game.

"Apart from that, I think the two quick goals for them also changed it a wee bit. We go in front and we're playing well, but two quick goals does change it, especially coming here. It's not easy here, so I think that did turn it a wee bit on the game.

"It was good to score. It had been a while, so it was good to get a goal, and I thought we were doing alright, but it's frustrating because I didn't think it was brilliant goals either. They could've been prevented. It's not like the split us open or that.

"If you could hold for 10-15 minutes, you maybe get a fit in the game again, but they took a wee boost from that, so it changed it.

"There's positives because I still thought we played well and, like I say, there were spells where we were on top. It was probably the final third, just the last wee bit of quality that you need, but we had spells.

"In the last 10-15 minutes we were on top, but it was just maybe that wee bit of quality that you need to get the goal that wasn't there for us."