Peterhead suffered a 3-0 defeat to Kelty Hearts in David Robertson’s first game in charge.
There was little to separate the sides in a goalless first half, however the Fifers took command after the break through goals from Thomas O’Ware, Nicky Low and Alfredo Agyeman.
Although the bottom-placed Blue Toon lost no ground on nearest challengers Clyde, they now trail eighth-placed Kelty by 13 points.
Robertson’s first team selection showed one change from the side which went down 3-0 to Queen’s Park the previous week, with the experienced Jordon Brown replacing David Wilson.
Kelty looked bright in the early stages but Peterhead limited their threats to long-range efforts, with Nicky Low’s free-kick forcing a smart save from Tom Ritchie, before the former Aberdeen midfielder sent another strike wide shortly afterwards.
The Blue Toon began to create some promising openings, with Jack Brown sending a lofted effort into the arms of Darren Jamieson after weaving his way into a shooting position.
The best chance of the first half fell the way of the visitors on 10 minutes however, with Michael Hewitt’s delivery picking out the unmarked Danny Strachan, who sent his first-time shot straight into the arms of Jamieson.
There was little to separate the two sides in the opening 45 minutes, however Kelty made the perfect start to the second half, when O’Ware rose highest to nod home Low’s corner less than three minutes after the restart.
Robertson introduced Russell McLean and Euan Murray in an attempt to freshen up his attack however there were precious few chances at either end, until Kelty were awarded a spot-kick on 83 minutes.
Andy McDonald was adjudged to have clipped Nathan Austin inside the box, and despite his protestations the defender was shown a second yellow card by referee Ross Hardie, with Low tucking home the spot-kick.
Kelty sealed the points in the dying stages, when Agyeman was played through on goal before calmly slotting into the far corner.
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