WATCH: Elgin City interviews with Steven MacKay, Kane O'Connor and Matthew Cooper after 0-0 draw with Kelty Hearts and pictures from Borough Briggs

ELGIN City took points off League 2 champions-elect Kelty Hearts for the third time this season in a goalless draw at Borough Briggs.

Assistant manager Steven MacKay hailed the efforts of a City team who had already drawn down at Kelty and beaten the league newcomers 2-0 in their last Borough Briggs meeting.

An Elgin side already missing injured captain Euan Spark, Cove loanee Jevan Anderson and Aberdeen full back Evan Towler battled hard to nullify the attacking threat of the Fifers.

Gavin Price's side were dealt a further setback when Darryl McHardy, who was pressed into action despite carrying a groin injury, had to come off at half time.

And a further blow for the Black and Whites came with the dismissal of midfielder Rabin Omar for two tame offences, each earning a yellow card from referee Calum Scott.

Stand-in skipper Matthew Cooper spoke about his team's hard-working performance in the battle to pull away from the lower reaches of League 2.

And former Hibs and Brentford stopper Kane O'Connor celebrated his first Borough Briggs start with a clean sheet and a solid display.

Russell Dingwall saw a back post volley blocked while Kane Hester fired just over after a superb turn as City were more than a match for the runaway leaders in the first half.

Omar's red card put the home side on the back foot but some determined defending and two fine saves by man-of-the-match Daniel Hoban meant that Elgin survived a late onslaught from the away side.

Elgin: Hoban; O’Connor, Draper, McHardy (MacEwan 46, Mykyta 89); Mailer, Dingwall, Cameron, Sopel (O’Keefe 76), Cooper; Omar, Hester (Peters 82).

Subs: Machado, McHale.

Kelty: Jamieson; Philp, Finlayson, O’Ware, McNab; Reilly (Kucheriavyi 66), Tidser, Barjonas; Higginbotham, Austin (Agyeman 79), Biabi (Cardle 66).

Subs: Peggie, Hill, Donaldson.

Ref: Calum Scott

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.