Scottish League 2: Kelty Hearts crowned champions at first attempt after win over Stenhousemuir

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Kelty Hearts' Max Kucheriavyi celebrates with fansImage source, SNS

Kelty Hearts have been crowned Scottish League 2 champions and secured promotion with five games to spare in their first season in the SPFL.

Ukrainian midfielder Max Kucheriavyi headed the late winner as Kevin Thomson's side beat Stenhousemuir 1-0.

Kelty manager Kevin Thomson told BBC Scotland: "It's a wonderful afternoon for the club and the town.

"We'll enjoy it with a wee glass of wine. I want all the staff behind the scenes to get the plaudits for this."

Second-top Annan Athletic had to match Kelty's result to delay their celebrations, but Albion Rovers defeated their hosts 4-2.

It means the Fife side, who were promoted after winning the Lowland League last season before defeating Brechin City in a play-off, have a 16-point lead with only 15 left to play for.

"We've demanded the group were fully focused week in, week out, which isn't always easy when these boys have jobs during the week," Thomson said.

Kelty had gone into the game having been held to two goalless draws and it was not until six minutes from the final whistle that they managed to breach fifth-top Stenhousemuir.

It was fitting that the winner came from Kucheriavyi, with the 19-year-old midfielder on loan from St Johnstone scoring his first goal for Kelty amid concerns for family and friends in his war-torn homeland.

Annan needed a fifth consecutive victory, but strikes from midfield duo Blair Malcolm and Scott Roberts had Rovers in control within 31 minutes.

Striker Tommy Goss headed in for Annan on the stroke of half-time and midfielder Tony Wallace shot the home side level after 68 minutes.

However, centre-half Sean Fagan and striker Kieran Dolan netted in the final five minutes as Rovers extended their unbeaten run to four games.

Despite losing to Kelty, Stenhousemuir remain only two points behind fourth-top Edinburgh City after the capital side had a miserable first game under new interim manager Alan Maybury, losing 2-0 at Elgin City.

A Josh Peters drive and free-kick from strike partner Kane Hester had Elgin cruising after 17 minutes. The visitors had Michael Travis sent off three minutes later for a second yellow card, while fellow defender Callum Crane followed for his second booking a minute from time.

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Third-top Forfar Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Cowdenbeath, with winger Samuel Ompreon firing the bottom side into the lead on the stroke of half-time and striker Scott Shepherd replying with 13 minutes remaining.

Right-back Aaron Dunsmore fired Stirling Albion's 65th-minute winner at home to Stranraer.