KELTY HEARTS boss Michael Tidser doesn't want to put "pressure" on his players after they maintained hopes of finishing in League One's promotion play-off places.

The 34-year-old player manager hailed a "collective effort" for securing their place in the third tier for next season whilst retaining a shot at reaching the Championship.

The New Central Park outfit drew 2-2 at champions Falkirk on Saturday which, combined with results elsewhere, leaves them three points outside the top four.

Hamilton Academical and Alloa Athletic have booked their places in the promotion play-offs, with one of Kelty, Montrose and Cove Rangers set to join them.

Montrose are fourth, which would set up a semi-final with the team that finishes second bottom of the Championship, with Cove, in fifth, two points behind.

Kelty, in sixth, are three behind Montrose, who visit New Central Park this weekend, and Tidser said: "I don't want to put any pressure on the lads, and expectation, because for all I said I know we're a good side, it's hard to get into those play-offs.

"I don't want to go too far into detail but budgets and things all dictate it and, I promise you, I'm nowhere near top six for budgets in this league.

"That's the hardest part as a manager, trying to get quality in with not the most amount of money.

"But that's the job of managers and I'm not complaining. I love doing this, and I love playing as well, so I'll just give it my all until the day I'm told otherwise.

"The games have always been competitive against Montrose and Hamilton. We've beaten Hamilton there as well.

"I think we've maybe surprised a few people this season because I was a new manager and relatively young, but it's all down to my staff and the people at the club. I do my bit, on the park, off the park, but they do as well and it's a real collective effort."

He continued: "You know the turnover at the start of the season. When I walked into the building as manager, I did not have a single player signed, apart from a couple of young lads, so how far we've came as a group has been remarkable.

"We've been good but I want to try and be better. That's always been my attitude as a player, and it will certainly be my attitude as a manager.

"We've got good players and we can dominate the play. Young Bav's (Alfie Bavidge) different, CJ (Craig Johnston) will give you something different, Moorey's (Lewis Moore) got real quality out this side, (Lewis) O'Donnell's been first class, Reece Lyon - I could go through them all. The boys have been brilliant.

"Jason Thomson, 36, 37 years of age, still defends like he's 19, 20, but the lads have been first class. I can't praise them enough, but we just need to go again next week.

"Tuesday and Thursday, we'll get our head down, get working, and come up with a plan to try and beat Montrose."

Kelty twice fought back in their draw at Falkirk, who played for more than 70 minutes with 10 men following a red card for Coll Donaldson, and were unfortunate not to end their unbeaten record in the league.

Bavidge hit the bar, Thomson was thwarted on the line and Moore was denied by a smart stop from Bairns keeper, Nicky Hogarth, with Tidser adding: "You can see they're throwing their bodies into everything.

"They're trying to hold on to their record, so fair play to them. They've been unbelievable this season; I've just said that to John (McGlynn, Falkirk manager) there.

"Remarkable, and if they do it, it's an unbelievable achievement. All leagues are difficult, but this one's extremely tough. This and the Championship I think are probably the two hardest in Scotland.

"But forget about Falkirk. It's about us and, with two games to go, we've given ourselves a wee glimmer.

"We'll see how a really competitive game goes next week against Montrose."