Kelty Hearts 2 Dumbarton 0
MICHAEL TIDSER has hailed Ross Cunningham's striking ability as "getting better and better" as his stunner helped Kelty Hearts on their way to victory over Dumbarton.
The 26-year-old's "unbelievable" effort broke the deadlock at New Central Park on Saturday, before Scott Williamson grabbed a second to earn the 'Maroon Machine' a first win in four matches, lifting them up to third in League One.
Cunningham, who netted a fine free-kick to earn his team a point at Inverness Caledonian Thistle the previous week, thundered home a sensational drive, via the post and crossbar, early in the second half to break the deadlock and score his ninth goal of the season.
The former Clyde man is out on his own as League One's top goalscorer, and player / boss Tidser commented: "I'm pleased for Rossco, keeping his goal tally going - an unbelievable strike.
"I see Rossco do it week in, week out, he just keeps getting better and better in terms of that.
"He's a great striker of the ball. He always has been, either foot. You see it in training all the time. He's been a talisman this season - that's him playing as an eight.
"He had a couple of snapshots in the first half. He's just going through a really fruitful period and it's something that we're reaping the benefits from.
"I'm equally pleased for Scotty.
"He's had a tough three or four weeks. It's not been happening for him, and I think he's probably went into a wee shell, maybe a wee bit feeling sorry for himself, but I've been trying to keep with him and showing him that we still love him and we need him to be at it, and he gets his goals well."
It was a first-ever visit to New Central Park for Dumbarton, who twice fought back to draw with Kelty in August, and they were first to threaten through James Hilton.
There were chances at both ends in the opening period, with Cunningham having a couple of attempts blocked before half-volleying off-target, whilst Connor Allan and Tidser also had opportunities for the hosts.
Perhaps their best fell to the impressive Luke McCarvel, who seized on a loose ball out of defence, checked inside his opponent, but dragged his effort wide of the post, whilst Craig Johnston flashed a header wide from Scott Mercer's cross.
At the other end, Mouhamed Niang should have done better than shoot straight at Adams for the Sons, whilst Michael Ruth hit the side netting, who then skewed wide from six yards shortly after the restart.
They were made to pay for those missed chances when Cunningham produced his moment of magic from around 25 yards.
The contest was put out of the visitors' reach in the 65th minute when they failed to clear Tidser's corner kick, allowing Williamson to take a touch and slot into the far corner of the net for his seventh goal of the season.
"I'm really pleased. I think you probably see it yourself, I think we deserved the three points over the 90 minutes," Tidser said.
"Overall, defensively, I thought we defended really well as a team - there were a lot of balls coming into our box. To keep a clean sheet, it's really important in this leagu, so, overall, a real good day for the club.
"I think at times we could have been a wee bit better in possession, moreso second half, when the game got a bit stretched.
"We became a wee bit loose in possession, but I think the boys are then, with 10 minutes to go, 15 minutes to go, you're just trying to think clean sheet, can we get this win?
"That's the only criticism, but listen, it's a minor criticism today because I thought, to a man, the boys were excellent."
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