Scottish League 2: Kelty Hearts extend lead after Fife derby win as Stirling slip up
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Kelty Hearts move seven points clear at the top of Scottish League 1 after a single goal meant Maurice Ross started his tenure at Cowdenbeath with defeat.
The former Scotland defender took over in midweek and his bottom-of-the-table side held on until Joe Cardle fired the derby winner after 76 minutes.
Forfar Athletic beat Elgin City 2-1 to move into second above Stirling Albion, who lost 3-1 at home to Stenhousemuir.
Fourth-top Annan Athletic were held to a 2-2 daw at home by Stranraer.
Kelty remain unbeaten in the league since winning promotion to the SPFL after winning the Lowland League - and in 11 games overall - with winger Cardle's eighth goal of the season enough to send hosts Cowdenbeath to a fourth consecutive loss.
Defender Andy Munro headed in from close range from Luke Strachan's cross to give Forfar a 26th-minute lead against second-bottom Elgin.
Rory MacEwan fired the equaliser six minutes later, but another close-range header, this time by opposite number in midfield Grant Anderson from Stefan McCluskey's cross, 13 minutes after the break was enough to secure a fourth consecutive win and extend Forfar's unbeaten run to seven.
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Stirling's hopes of keeping pace with Kelty suffered a blow with defender Adam Cummins' own goal after only 10 minutes at home to Stenhousemuir.
Ross Forbes set up striker Thomas Orr to fire the visitors further ahead before also laying it off for forward Darren Christie to shoot their side into a commanding lead 10 minutes before the break.
Former Hearts striker Dylan Bikey replied 13 minutes after the break, but Stirling could not deny the visitors a third straight victory.
There was late drama as 10-man Stranraer secured a point away to Annan.
On-loan Kilmarnock midfielder Ross Smith fired the visitors ahead after 24 minutes, striker Aidan Smith shot Annan level shortly before half time, but there was still time for utility man Sean Burns to be sent off for violent conduct.
The 10 men looked to have snatched victory with Matt Yates' second assist of the game being headed in by midfielder Paul Woods with four minutes remaining.
However, winger Chris Johnston set up midfielder Owen Moxon to fire the equaliser a minute later.
On Friday, improving Albion Rovers, now unbeaten in four games, shocked Edinburgh City after goals Maxwell Wright, James McGowan and Callum Wilson gave the Coatbridge side a comfortable half-time lead, with Corey O'Donnell adding to the hosts' woes after the break.
