Kelty Hearts’ place as Britain’s last unbeaten league side is at an end after the Maroon Machine suffered a surprise – and resounding – defeat at the hands of Annan Athletic, losing 5-1.
The League Two leaders had won thirteen and drawn three of their 16 games so far this season as the Fifers suffered their first defeat in the league since winning promotion from the Lowland League last summer.
Kelty took the lead in the Borders, going 1-0 up through Nathan Austin before Owen Moxon levelled the scores up before the break.
After Kelty saw Jordon Foster sent off during the half-time interval, Annan took advantage and quickly got themselves in front after the restart; Michael Garrity netting for the Galabankies.
The second 45 was as bad as it could get for Kelty, substitute Tony Wallace bagging a hat-trick to seal a resounding win for Annan and send Kelty heading back to Fife with their tail between their legs.
With second-placed Forfar Athletic in action later this afternoon when they play Stenhousemuir, Kelty could see their lead at the top of League Two cut to four points.
Thomson’s side will still be the favourites to go on and will the title and earn back-to-back promotions but it will be interesting to see just how they respond to their first league defeat of the season.
Going almost half of the season without losing in the league and having the last unbeaten league record in British football is an impressive feat for a manager in his rookie season.
There’s plenty of experience in Thomson’s side though so they shouldn’t have any problems brushing off the defeat in Annan and getting back to winning ways when they face local rival Cowdenbeath in El Clasicoal on January 2.
The former Scotland midfielder has a growing reputation as a manager it wouldn’t come as a surprise if clubs higher up the leagues start looking at the 37-year-old before too long.
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