Lowland League round-up: Civil Service Strollers edged out by Kelty Hearts, Bonnyrigg beat Gretna, defeats for Spartans and Edinburgh Uni

Ten-man Civil Service Strollers turned in battling performance but were edged out 3-2 by reigning Lowland League champions Kelty Hearts in an entertaining clash at Christie Gillies Park.

Civil Service Strollers were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller with Kelty Hearts

The hosts were first to strike in the 28th minute and it arrived from the penalty spot following Scott Hooper’s foul on Nico Gibson, Strollers captain Alieau Faye sending goalkeeper Darren Jamieson the wrong way from 12 yards.

The Fife outfit were back on level terms through Michael Tidser’s 20-yard effort seven minutes before the break and Barry Ferguson’s men turned the game on its head four minutes after the restart through Kallum Higginbotham’s spot-kick.

Substitute Ross Philp increased Kelty’s lead midway through the second half before Jack Bryden’s header set up a frantic finish. But Strollers were reduced to ten men when Chris McKee was sent off for a last-ditch tackle.

Strollers boss Gary Jardine said afterwards: “I’m disappointed not to take anything from the game. We played well in parts and competed, which you have to do against a team of that quality. A couple of the refereeing decisions could have gone the other way but we can’t concede three goals at home and expect to win the game.

“We’ve had a really tough start to the league. East Stirlingshire have made it clear they want to win the league, BSC Glasgow the same and Kelty want to hold on to their title so we’ve played three of the top sides in the division. There’s not been much in those games, we’ve made mistakes that have cost us, but if we can take them on moving forward then we’ll have a really good season.”

Elsewhere, Spartans suffered their first setback of the season with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Stirling University.

The students drew first blood through Jamie Penker in the 13th minute before the hosts squared the match from the penalty spot, Blair Atkinson picking himself up to score after being brought down by the Stirling No.1.

Another penalty was awarded 12 minutes into the second half and this time it was for the students. Spartans captain Adam Corbett was sent off for his role and Conor Doan restored the visitors’ advantage.

Stirling wrapped up the points through Louis Kennedy as the hosts were reduced to nine men with the dismissal of Mikey Allan.

Meanwhile, Bonnyrigg Rose maintained their 100 per cent record with a comfortable 3-0 win over Gretna 2008 at New Dundas Park.

Captain Jonny Stewart’s finish into the bottom corner gave Robbie Horn’s men a slender lead at the interval.

Bryan Gilfillan was sent off for the Borders side in the 67th minute and Rose capitalised adding a further two efforts through Joe Jackson’s own goal and Jordan Smith.

And Edinburgh University remain bottom of the pack after a 4-0 defeat to Bo’ness United at Peffermill.

A Zander Miller brace, Chris Donnelly and a trialist were the goalscorers for the West Lothian outfit.