Reports

Cowdenbeath 2 East Stirling 1 (Nov 14, 2003)

Cowden continued on their winning ways, extending their unbeaten run to five games, but they were once again given a fright by lowly Shire who had held them to a 1-1 draw at Falkirk earlier in the season.

It was, in fact, very much like the first match between the clubs as Cowden missed several clear-cut chances in the first half before gifting a goal to the Shire and being forced to stage a late fightback to take something from the game.

Graeme Brown was axed from the squad, Steven Stewart being handed a starting jersey for only the fourth time and versatile Bryan Gilfillan partnering Dene Shields up front.

Shields, in fact, scorned a golden chance in the first period when failed to connect properly with a defence-splitting cross from Steven Stewart. Shields the teed up a tap-in chance for Gilfillan but Shire keeper Jon Connolly covered himself in glory by blocking the close-in effort.

Cowden keeper Andy Carlin, beaten only twice in the previous six games, pulled off a couple of excellent stops as Shire pressed hard before the interval which was reached with the scoresheet still blank.

Carlin, however, could do nothing to stop an indecisive back-header from defensive colleague Innes Ritchie sailing over his head and into the net just after the hour mark. Shire immediately tried to slow the game down but Dene Shields soon put an end to that when he burst clear down the right, shrugged off a couple of defenders and slotted the ball past Connolly.

Cowden at last began to show a bit of composure but the winning goal was an opportunist effort from the tireless Shields who beat Connolly in a race to the ball 30 yards out and flicked it over the keepers head and into the empty net.

That set up the victory but it took a stunning stop from Carlin to wrap all three points for the Blue Brazil.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand (John Fallon 88), Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan (Liam Buchanan 60), John Mc|Keown, Innes Ritchie, Steven Stewart (Iain Mauchlen 62), Craig Winter, Dene Shields, Gary Fusco, Dave Mowat. Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Kevin Gordon.

Queens Park 0 Cowdenbeath 0 (Nov 8, 2003)

Cowden extended their impressive unbeaten away record to seven games but never really got going against Queens Park at the National Stadium and, with the amateurs also lacking firepower, the game inevitably ended goalless.

Calvin Shand returned from suspension to replace the injured Andy Campbell while a fit-again Dene Shields was preferred to Steven Stewart as Cowden again adopted an attacking formation.

The Blue Brazil should have had an early bonus when Bryan Gilfillan was chopped down in the box as he bore in on goal but the referee turned down the strong penalty claims.

It looked as if the opener would not be delayed very long as Cowden controlled the game with Dave McInally and Dave Mowat in particular being involved in a lot of good moves. One of these eventually opened the door for Dene Shields but the striker's effort was brilliantly blocked by Queens keeper Derek Scrimgour.

The scoresheet remained blank at the interval which turned out to be a marathon break as linesmen Martinn Doran required lengthy treatment before being able to resume.

The 35-minute break did nothing to liven up proceedings in a pretty dreary second period, interspersed only by regular substitutions made by the repective managers.

John Fallon replaced Graham Brown up front and put in a lot of hard running without endangering the scoreline. It was the same at the other end where once again the Johnn McKeown/Innes Ritchie partnership proved impossible to breach and keeper Andy Carlin dealt confidently with all the aerial efforts.

Dave McInally, Dene Shields and Innes Ritchie were all high and wide with decent efforts and luckily Steve Canning was similarly off target with an injury-time shot at the end.

A game best forgotten but at least the Blue Brazil made it ten points from their last four games with bottom club East Stirling next in the firing line at Central Park on Friday night.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Gary Fusco (Steven Stewart 63), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown (John Fallon 55), Dene Shields (Iain Mauchlen 80), Dave Mowat. Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Liam Buchanan.

Booked - Iain Mauchlen.

Cowdenbeath 2 Stirling Albion 0 (Nov 1, 2003)

Cowden smashed their home hoodoo in spectacular style by ending the unbeaten Leage record of runaway leaders Stirling Albion with an impressive 2-0 victory at Central Park.

The three points earned from this third successive win pushed Cowden into fourth spot and on to the fringes of the promotion race following excellent away victolries at Peterhead and Coatbridge.

The entire strike-force which had started these two away performances was posted missing after Dene Shields failed a fitness test and boss Keith Wright rang the changes, recalling Andy Campbell, Dave Mowat, Gary Fusco and Graeme Brown as well as pushing the versatile teenager Bryan Gilfillan up front - an inspired move which paid off big-time.

Cowden took charge from the first whistle and Gilfillan's first effort produced a great save from Stirling keeper Myles Hogarth and then defender John McKeown hit the post with an angled header..

Skipper Craig Winter forced Hogarth into another fine save as Cowden remained in control with Andy Carlin safely dealing with the few efforts that got past Innes Ritchie and John McKeown. The only moment of anxiety came when Steven Stewart was in the right place to head an Albion effort off the line.

Albion finished a goalless first half strongly but were soon rocked by an unforgettable goal from young Bryan Gilfillan after the restart. Few in Central Park will ever have seen a more spectacular strike - and never will again.

The teenager pounced on a loose ball 40 yards out and, with great vision, immediately decided to have a pop at goal and his rocket delivery simply flew into the net, giving Hogarth not a ghost of a chance. No wonder the youngster hurdled the stock car barrier to do a victory jig in front of his family in the main stand.

The goal spurred the Cowden fans on to even greater vocal support and the whole team lifted their game as Albion visibly wilted. To their credit, the leaders started pushing men forward but the gaps opened at the back and it took two breathtaking stops by Hogarth from ferocious Dave McInally efforts to keep out the Blue Brazil.

Sub John Fallon sent Graeme Brown through but the striker's delicate first touch beat Hogarth but rolled agonisingly past the post. Brown then turned chance-maker with a brilliant dribble from the corner flag but his telling cut-back was scrambled to safety.

Cowden ended on a high note when Gary Fusco, enjoying his best game for the Blue Brazil, set up sub Liam Buchanan and the teenager took a touch before drilling a drive past Hogarth into the far corner of the net.

A perfect end to a perfect day for Cowden and the fans celebrated loud and long as the humbled League leaders trooped dejectedly off the field.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Andy Campbell, Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan (John Fallon 60), John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Steven Stewart (Iain Mauchlen 75), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown (Liam Buchanan 80), Gary Fusco, Dave Mowat. Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Ross Matheson.

Booked - Craig Winter.

Attendance - 471

Albion Rovers 1 Cowdenbeath 2

Cowden, who kicked off the season by holding current runaway leaders Stirling Albion to a draw, made it six games undefeated away from home as they deservedly collected all three points from Coatbridge.

Albion Rovers remain the only side to have scored more than a single goal against Cowden in a League game this season but they never really looked like repeating the feat on Saturday.

Granted, they made full use of the wind behind their backs in the first half but the rock-solid central pairing of Cowden's Innes Ritchie and John McEwan, aided by some decisive goalkeeping from Andy Carlin, mopped up most of their attacks.

Calvin Shand and Bryan Gilfillan proved more than equal to coping with a couple of tricky wingers but the Cowden strike-force were making little headway up front, the best effort coming from skipper Craig Winter whose tremendous shot rebounded clear from the crossbar.

Manager Keith Wright, who had stuck by the same starting line-up which had won at Peterhead, opted to change his side before the break, bringing on midfielder Gary Fusco in place of striker Liam Buchanan. Soon afterwards, John Fallon came close with a diving header but the teams went in level at the interval.

That soon changed after the restart when Cowden gave Albion a taste of their own medicine, scoring twice within a couple of minutes and both goals were beauties. A cleverly-worked move down the right involving Dene Shields and Steven Stewart produced an inch-perfect cross to the head of Gary Fusco and enabled the 21-year-old to bullet home a header for his first-ever senior goal.

Not to be outdone, Stewart soon followed up after an inspired pass from Bryan Gilfillan and some dazzling wing play by Dave McInally opened the door for Craig Winter. The Cowden skipper missed his shot but the ball rolled on to Stewart who slammed it into the corner of the net from 20 yards for the teenagers first-ever senior goal.

Cowden now took full command of the game and looked very unlikely to concede a goal as Albion ran out of ideas but they eventually produced a goal out of nothing when a rare lack of concentration enabled Kevin McBride to pick up a loose ball and score with a low drive even although Andy Carlin got his fingertips to it.

The heat was now on for the Blue Brazil but they should have eased the pressure when sheer persistency by Dene Shields presented Kevin Gordon with a great chances but a bad bounce meant he failed to collect the ball with the goal gaping.

At the end of the day it didn't matter as Cowden played out time before leaving the pitch to a loud and long ovation from their travelling fans.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Steven Stewart (Dave Mowat 70), Craig Winter, John Fallon (Kevin Gordon 60) Dene Shields, Liam Buchanan (Gary Fusco 35). Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Adam Moffat.

Booked - Calvin Shand and Innes Ritchie.

Attendance - 415.

Peterhead 0 Cowdenbeath 1

Cowden lived up to manager Keith Wright's pre-match confidence that they would return with something from Peterhead when a superb strike from Bryan Gilfillan maintained the Blue Brazil's unbeaten away record.

It was Gilfillan's first-ever goal for Cowden and it came in the 70th minute, immediately after the local teenager had been switched to attack in a shrewd move by gaffer Wright.

Three changes were made to the Cowden starting line-up, with John Fallon, Liam Buchanan and debutant Steven Stewart replacing Dave Mowat, Ross Matheson and the injured Graeme Brown who had picked up a calf knock in training.

Dene Shields had notched a double in Cowden's last away game and he looked in the mood again with some great early runs but found Peterhead keeper Paul Mathers in top form.

John Fallon came even closer when a strong 22-yard drive bounced back off the post with Mathers beaten. Shields continued to be a real threat to the Blue Toon defence and only a last-gasp foul stopped him homing in on goal. The same player again came close before the interval but the teams went in at 0-0.

Mathers was soon in action on the restart when he managed to divert a Fallon drive round the post while at the other end Cowden keeper Andy Carlin proved up to Ian Stewart's effort. The Peterhead striker then missed an open goal. Minutes later, Bryan Gilfillan blasted home the match-winner after good work by Dene Shields.

It was an instant success story for Keith Wright's tactics as he had just put on Dave Mowat to cover the left-back position and pushed Gilfillan up front.

There was no more scoring although there were chances at either end including a Shields effort which just skimmed the bar.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally (Ross Matheson 85) Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Steven Stewart, Craig Winter, Liam Buchanan (Dave Mowoat 69), Dene Shields, John Fallon (Gary Fusco 62). Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Adam Moffat.

Booked - Calvin Shand and Innes Ritchie.

There is no doubt Cowden's loyal travelling support is seeing the best of the Blue Brazil this season and Keith Wright's boys followed up their superb CIS Cup show at Dunfermline by extending their unbeaten away League record at Elgin.

With Ian Morris failing his morning fitness test, the Cup squad were given a vote of confidence by the boss although Gary Fusco was promoted to the starting line-up in place of the injured Kevin Gordon.

There is no question the fans prefer to see the attacking formation although on this occasion the Blue Brazil defence was expected to come under pressure from Scotland's highest-scoring strikeforce. However, this never came to fruition and the Blue Brazil romped to a stunning 4-0 victory, much to the delight of the fans who once again gave maximum support.

Cowden could have gone ahead right away but Elgin keeper Martin Pirie pulled off great saves from first Dave McInally and then Liam Buchanan. The latter, however, opened the scoring after 12 minutes when the industrious Graeme Brown combined with McInally to set up the stocky striker and he found the target in style.

Buchanan was involved in everything and minutes later earned a penalty which he decided to take himself but his effort was saved by Pirie. Buchanan was certainly on fire in the first half and yet another great effort cracked against the bar.

Cowden went in 1-0 ahead and should have increased their advantage soon after the break when Graeme Brown's pass reached that man Buchanan at the back post but he just failed to convert.

Brown, relishing the new attacking formation, turned goal provider when he created an opening for Dene Shields and the loan star took a touch before slotting away his first-ever goal for the club.

The Cowden rearguard, with Bryan Gilfillan and Innes Ritchie again prominent, mopped everything the Elgin strikers threw at them and in fact Ritchie also found time to wrap up the points when he nodded home a Shields free-kick.

Then it was time for Shields to shine again when he latched on to a creative clearance and dashed through to score an excellent solo goal with a thunderous shot.

Cowden were running riot and McInally created a similar chance to Shields but his parting shot missed the mark Then the spotlight switched back to Shields after keeper Pirie had only half-cleared a great effort from teenage sub John Slaven. A hat-trick was on the cards for Shields but he blazed the ball over the bar when perfectly placed.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Dave Mowat (Calvin Shand 65), Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Gary Fusco (Ross Matheson 61), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Dene Shields, Liam Buchanan (John Slaven 79). Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Darren McGregor.

Attendance - 665

Dunfermline 2 Cowdenbeath 0

Cowden were definitely not flattered by the above scoreline as even the most fervent Pars fans agreed the Blue Brazil deserved to be at least a couple of goals up before the interval.

Gaffer Keith Wright agreed, saying "Lack of the killer touch in front of goal cost us the game. We must start putting the ball in the back of the net."

Nevertheless, it was one of Cowden's greatest-ever performances in recent years, especially the first-half display when they ran their Premier opponents ragged.

Wright kept his promise to have a go at Dunfermline and Cowden lined up with three strikers in Graeme Brown, Liam Buchanan and Dene Shields while latest recruit Innes Ritchie earned his first starting jersey in the heart of the defence.

The huge Cowden support, at least double the normal total attendance at a Central Park game, could hardly believe their eyes as the Blue Brazil forced six corners in the opening ten minutes and continued to put the Pars under pressure. Only keeper Derek Stillie kept the home side in the game as all the close things came at his end.

Stillie saved well from an overhead kick by Dene Sheilds, a powering header from John McKeown and a snapshot from Dave McInally as Cowden strived for that elusive opener. Good closing-down work by Liam Buchanan and Graeme Brown opened up a golden chance for the latter and although he took a touch and beat Stillie, his effort slipped agonisingly past the post.

Cowden's corner count continued to mount as the interval approached but they went in empty-handed but to a tremendous ovation from their fans who appreciated that the revamped back four had denied the big-earners of Dunfermline even one shot at goal.

Ten minutes after the restart the game changed when Scotland striker Stevie Crawford bagged a goal out of nothing with a great 20-yard strike after pouncing on a loose ball. Cowden piled back into attack but were dealt a killer blow when the giant Craig Brewster scored with a header after referee Hugh Dallas totally missed a blatant push on keeper Andy Carlin.

Much to the dismay of the Cowden contingent, Dallas also failed to spot a stonewall penalty when Graeme Brown was barged to the ground in the six-yard box and - even more obvious - took no action when Pars defender Andy Tod, previously booked, took Brown right out of the game as he tried to chase a through ball.

The unffamiliar plastic pitch and the full-time opposition took its toll in the last 15 minutes as Cowden tired and even the injection of Iain Mauchlen and Gary Fusco failed to produce the goal Cowden richly deserved. However, there wasn't a failure in the squad and the fans stayed behind to cheer them off the park.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Dave Mowat, Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Dene Shields (Gary Fusco 69), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Liam Buchanan (Iain Mauchlen 59). Subs not used - Allan Fleming, Ross Matheson and John Slaven.

Booked - Craig Winter

Cowdenbeath 0 Gretna 1

They say lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place but Central Park must be an exception as the second week in a row Cowden lost 1-0 at home after having a player sent off in controversial circumstances just before the interval.

This time it was ever-present Calvin Shand, never even been previously booked in his senior career, who was the victim of a zealous linesman after being involved in a spat with Gretna's Gary Cohen. No contact was made but Shand was red-carded, a severe punishment when seen against the later yellow card given to Gretna winger Ryan Baldacchino after twice raising his arms in anger to strike Bryan Gilfillan.

To complete another day when the breaks went against the Central Parkers, the only counter was an own goal by Dave Mowat who fired the ball past keeper Andy Carlin as he tried to clear.

It could all so easily have been a different story if Cowden had converted even one of several good openings made in the early stages of the game. As early as the first minute, Graeme Brown made excellent ground down the right but his tempting back-post cross found no takers.

Two minutes later Kevin Gordon, restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Iain Mauchlen, sent Dave McInally overlapping clear on the left but his perfect cross was ballooned over the bar by Brown from a couple of yards.

Cowden contained Gretna comfortably for the first 45 minutes although they themselves did not create a lot of chances. Brown, however, was only inches away with a good effort from a move again originated by McInally.

Then came Shand's unexpected dismissal and Gretna looked a lot more comfortable after the break with an extra man at their disposal. Cowden's ten men, however, once again showed a lot of resilience, none more so than Bryan Gilfillan who put in a whole series of timely tackles.

Then, out of the blue, came Mowat's unfortunate own goal as he attempted to clear his lines by thumping the ball out for a corner. That goal gave Gretna an extra boost and they might have added a second but for another saving tackle from Gilfillan.

Just when the Cowden fans thought the game was over their team came within a whisker of grabbing a deserved equaliser in the dying seconds. Once again the chance fell to Brown and this time he cleverly elected to chip the ball over Dave Mathieson but the keeper's fingertips managed to take some of the pace off the ball and a defender apeared from nowhere to block on the line.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Dave Mowat (Liam Buchanan 80), Ross Matheson (Iain Mauchlen 52), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Dene Shields (Adam Moffat 60). Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Innes Ritchie.

Sent Off - Calvin Shand.

Booked - Graeme Brown, Dave Mowat and Bryan Gilfillan

Attendance - 235

Cowdenbeath 0 Queens Park 1

After cruising past Alloa in the League Cup, Cowden were unchanged against the Spiders but never really looked like reproducing the sparkling level of performance which saw off the Second Division ooutift.

Their task was made all the more difficult by referee Tom Brown's decision to punish virtually every routine foul with a yellow card and his handling of the game was the main talking point among both sets of supporters after the game.

Unfortunately, Cowden came off worst as midfielder Ian Morris collected two of Brown's yellows and was sent off just before the interval. Two minutes after the restart, Queens' Steve Canning netted the only goal of the game when he rifled home a downward header from Ally Graham.

Cowden, to their credit, rolled up the sleeves and the ten men gave as good as they got - and even better - until the final whistle.

The first half had passed slowly in a dour battle with the highlights being a Bryan Gilfillan header which almost found the net and a neat piece of defending by Andy Carlin and John McKeown which kept Queens attack at bay.

On the downside, Cowden failed to put any pressure on Queens keeper Derek Scimgour from set pieces and unfortunately that trait continued in the second half with several free-kicks and corners proving fruitless.

Cowden introduced new signing Innes Ritchie and Kevin Gordon and their team-mates stepped up a gear, Dene Shields cracking in a tremendous shot which the keeper managed to block.

Shields never stopped being prepared to have a pot at goal and he twice was denied before the end but it was a day when Cowden never got the break of the ball and Queens departed with the points.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand (Innes Ritchie 58), Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Dave Mowat (Ross Matheson 82), Iain Mauchlen (Kevin Gordon 58), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Dene Shields, Ian Morris. Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Steven Boyle.

Sent off - Ian Morris. Booked - Dave McInally, John McKeown and Iain Mauchlen.

Cowdenbeath 3 Alloa 0

Cowden cruised into the second round of the CIS Insurance League Cup with a convincing win over Alloa, who are a division above the Blue Brazil. It was a thoroughly deserved victory and Cowden dominated from start to finish.

A host of chances were created in the first half. Although none of them could be described as gilt-edged, the Wasps were put under sustained pressure and Keith Wright's men were unlucky not to score in the opening period. New striker Dene Shields - making his debut start - came close when his effort from outside the box was tipped around the post. Dave McInally also fired over the top from a good position.

Cowden made the breakthrough when Craig Winter's cross cannoned off a defender into the path of McInally who slotted comfortably into the net. Two minutes later Blue Brazil were awarded a penalty when Shields was fouled as he bore down on goal. The Alloa defender was booked for his trouble and Ian Morris made no mistake from the spot.

The match was finally sewn up when Brown delivered a tremendous cross-field pass to McInally who raced unchallenged into the box to shoot home his second goal of the night and put Cowden in the hat for the second-round draw.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Dave Mowat, Iain Mauchlen (Kevin Gordon, 62), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Dene Shields, Ian Morris. Subs not used - Adam Moffat, Andy Campbell, Allan Fleming.

East Stirling 1 Cowdenbeath 1

Cowden maintained their unbeaten away record in the League but at the end of the day had to settle for a disappointing draw after creating enough chances to win a handful of games.

Unfortunately, the well-created chances were missed by normally reliable strikers and after Shire were gifted a goal out of nothing, Cowden had to come from behind to snatch a draw.

Kevin Gordon replaced Iain Mauchlen but otherwise boss Keith Wright stuck with the line-up which had comfortably seen off Montrose the previous week.

Taking command right from the start, Cowden dominated the game but stuffy Shire defending prevented many real openings being created but Dave McInally and Dave Mowat came close. It was more a case of Cowden shooting wildly while Shire's most impressive statistic was the number of times they booted the ball out of the stadium.

Cowden's back four were never troubled but it was only in the second half that a greater sense of urgency began to be shown throughout the team. McInally showed the way when he blitzed his way right through the Shire ranks only to blaze his final effort wide of the goals.

Then Graeme Brown did well to get to a McInally cross but his header from a couple of yards was somehow turned on to the post by keeper Connor. New signing Dene Shields made his Cowden debut with midfielder Dave Mowat giving way and the Blue Brazil stepped another gear.

A tremendous five-man passing move opened the door for Kevin Gordon to run in unchallenged on the keeper but his parting shot skimmed past the post. Cowden paid the price less than a minute later when a suicidal passback from Adam Moffat left Shires' Dave Ormiston with a tap-in gift goal.

To their credit, the Blue Brazil battled back into the game and once again McInally created a good opening when a perfect cross gave Brown a free header but it was directed straight at the keeper with the goal gaping.

An equaliser just had to come and it duly arrived thanks to a magnificent free-kick from deadball expert Ian Morris who curled his shot round the wall and into the net.

Cowden, backed by a large and enthusiastic support, went all out for a winner and it seemed to have arrived when Shields burst through in the clear and unleashed a fierce shot which somehow hit the keeper and stayed out. Cowden fans knew then that a draw would be the final result and so it proved.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Dave Mowat (Dene Shields 55), Adam Moffat (Ross Matheson 74), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Ian Morris. Subs not used - Allan Fleming, Andy Campbell and Gary Fusco.

Booked - Shand and Winter

Montrose 1 Cowdenbeath 3

Cowden were given a starting shake-up by manager Keith Wright and the team responded with their most impressive League display for some considerable time.

Ex-Dumbarton stopper John McKeown was restored to the heart of the Blue Brazil defence with a new partner in the shape of the uncompromising Bryan Gilfillan. Both enjoyed their best games in a Cowden jersey and looked solid throughout despite conceding the first goal. There was an even bigger success story up front where Wright opted for Ian Morris to link with Graeme Brown and the hard-working partnership paid off with a spectacular goal apiece.

The return of Brown from suspension and Iain Mauchlen from injury meant it was the first time this season that Wright was able to field his four regular choices alongside the seven newcomers. Ross Matheson, John Fallon, Andy Campbell and Kevin Gordon were the four to miss out but the latter two came on as subs, thus enabling Kevin to keep his record of playing in every game since he arrived at Central Park.

Cowden carried a magnificent travelling support despite the debacle at home the previous week and the players responded magnificently to their non-stop encouragement as there wasn't a failure in the side.

Dave Mowat, moved to midfield, made a great run on to an inch-perfect Mauchlen pass in the first opening carved out but he failed to get his shot in. Cowden soon regretted that miss when a failed headed clearance fell to Montrose's Michie who ran in to score with a shot which squeezed in off the post.

Cowden hit back with a bang inside a minute, much to the delight of the fans. Craig Winter's accurate through pass went straight to the feet of Ian Morris who skipped past two defenders and beat the keeper with a well-placed drive for his first-ever Cowden goal.

Butter was in action regularly but the second goal did not come until after the interval. However, it was well worth the wait as a half-clearance dropped perfectly for ace marksman Graeme Brown who instantly pulled the trigger to score with a fierce left-foot volley.

Montrose had little option but to pour men forward and Cowden's playmakers like Adam Moffat immediately started finding gaps which led to several close things.

However, it was Dave McInaly who provided a sweeping crossfield pass for Craig Winter to pick up and charge unchallenged in on goal. He stayed cool, drew the keeper and netted easily for a classy counter.

It was all over bar the shouting, apart from a Dave Mowat piledriver which just about broke Jim Butter's fingers but stayed out. Needless to say, Cowden left the park to a great ovation from their fans.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand (Andy Campbell 60), Dave McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Dave Mowat, Iain Mauchlen (Kevin Gordon 65), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown (Liam Buchanan 89), Ian Morris, Adam Moffat. Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Ross Matheson,

Booked - Gilfillan, Mauchlen, Moffat.

Attendance - 338

Cowdenbeath 1 Albion Rovers 4

Cowden started brightly but a first-half goal blitz from Albion put the points out of reach. The Coatbridge men netted three times within as many minutes and they took an almost unassailable lead into the dressing room at the interval.

It could all have been so different had Kevin Gordon converted a penalty which was awarded to Cowden inside the first minute of the match after Dave McInally had been sent crashing to the turf. Instead, Rovers keeper Chris Fahey produced a superb stop and his side went on to wrap up victory.

With top marksman Graeme Brown suspended, John Fallon was handed his debut league start. Skipper Craig Winter also made a welcome return to his usual midfield berth, having completed his lengthy suspension. Manager Keith Wright made several voluntary changes to the side which drew at Stirling the previous week. Out went John McKeown, Bryan Gilfillan and Stevie Boyle. In came Adam Moffat, Ross Matheson and the aforementioned Fallon.

After the penalty incident, the Blue Brazil showed some nice touches without causing too much of a stir up front. But when the visitors moved into top gear, they did so in devastating fashion. Mark Yardley, a former Cowden goal machine, headed the Coatbridge men in front when he was given space at a corner kick. The same player struck less than a minute later when he slid home a low cross from the left.

Before Cowden knew what had hit them, they were three goals down. Jim Mercer was first to react to a dangerous ball and he fired past Andy Carlin from point-blank range. The Blue Brazil tried to regroup after the break but the imposing figure of Yardley again caused havoc in the box and his knockdown was stroked into the net by Paul McManus.

Cowden were in disarray but the introduction of teenager Liam Buchanan breathed new life into the attack. Buchanan was unlucky to see his searing 20-yarder strike the bar but he eventually found the target with a clever header four minutes from time. It was scant consolation for a dejected Blue Brazil.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Andy Campbell, Dave Mowat, Adam Moffat (John McKeown, 45), Ross Matheson (Bryan Gilfillan, 65), Craig Winter, John Fallon (Liam Buchanan, 55), Kevin Gordon, Ian Morris. Subs not used - Brian Ford & Allan Fleming.

Stirling Albion 0 Cowdenbeath 0

Cowden, backed by a noisy and enthusiastic travelling support, had to settle for a draw in an entertaining match at Forthbank Stadium.

Not surprisingly with so many players making their League debut in Blue Brazil colours, Cowden were caught cold in the opening spell but thankfully the Stirling strikers were wild and wide with their efforts.

Cowden brought on Ross Matheson after 30 minutes to give some width to their attacks and he almost produced the opener with a deep cross which was missed by Graeme Brown and Kevin Gordon before Dave McInally stepped up to smash a looping 30-yarder inches over the top.

Cowden improved even further after the interval as the game became more competitive and Graeme Brown seemed to have opened the scoring with a deflected drive but an Albion defender appeared from nowhere to hook the ball off the line.

Stirling striker Barry Elliot was then sent off for a blatant trip on Andy Campbell and the Blue Brazil, with John Fallon on for Steven Boyle, enjoyed a period of supremacy during which they should have scored several goals.

Fallon was right through on the keeper but elected to pass to Kevin Gordon who had strayed offside and then Fallon did better with a well-placed shot which beat Myles Hogarth but hit the post. Gordon was on hand to pocket the rebound but was again ruled offside.

Cowden, who also introduced latest signing Adam Moffat, scorned several great chances before stand-in skipper Graeme Brown was harshly dismissed for his second yellow card. Suddenly, Albion were back in the game and hit both bar and post in late scrambles.

Cowden might still have collected all three points but were thwarted by a magnificent save by Hogarth from an Ian Morris piledriver in the last few seconds.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Andy Campbell, John McKeown (Adam Moffat 65), Dave Mowat, Bryan Gilfillan (Ross Matheson 31), Ian Morris, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Steven Boyle (John Fallon 55). Subs not used - Allan Fleming and Brian Ford.

Cowdenbeath 1 Ross County 2

The new-look Cowden team gave an excellent account of themselves against their full-time First Division opponents who have invested heavily in their squad over the summer.

Unfortunately unlike the last two seasons, Cowden were unable to force the tie into extra-time on this occasion but they came very close, especially in the closiog minutes when ace marksman Graeme Brown was knocked out by a reckless collision from County keeper Colin Stewart. However, no penalty was awarded.

Cowden were almost unrecognisable in terms of personnel from last season as six players made their competitive debut. However, club skipper Craig Winter was in his customary place as he led the team out for his 300th appearance in a Blue Brazil jersey. The teams looked evenly matched although both had spells of supremacy as a commmitted Bells Challenge cup-tie was fought out before a 325 crowd.

Graeme Brown scored a peach of a goal with an angled curver to put Cowden ahead in 14 minutes after most of the spadework had been accomplisehd by Dave Mowat in his new midfield role. County then enjoyed a great spell as they stepped up the pace and they were soon rewarded with an equaliser, albeit a very fortunate goal.

Hugh Robertson did well to make the byeline but his fierce cross cannoned off Andy Campbell, deceived another two defenders, bounced against the post and crossed the line just before keeper Andy Carlin reached it. Carlin then did exceptionally well to block another Robertson effort just on the whistle.

Ian Morris had earlier tested keeper Stewart to the limit with a well-worked free-kick and Cowden - with Ross Matheson on for Mowat - matched the Highlanders for most of the second half. Indeed, they were well on top when County got a late winner from John Rankin who beat three men before scoring from 18 yards.

Graeme Brown had scorned a real chance when he was caught as he raced in on goal but seemed certain to make amends with a free header from a deep cross but was sent crashing to the ground by keeper Stewart as he was about to make contact. Both players required extensive treatment - Stewart eventually going off - but referee Cassidy ignored Cowden claims for the penalty.

Bryan Gilfillan, yet another new guy, made an impressive debut from the bench but the final sub, Liam Buchanan, got little chance to shine as he was put on for the last two minutes.

Cowdenbeath - Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Dave McInally, Andy Campbell, John McKeown, Dave Mowat (Ross Matheson 45), Ian Morris (Liam Buchanan 88), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, John Fallon (Bryan Gilfillan 56). Subs not used - Alan Fleming and Steven Boyle.

Forfar Athletic 1 Cowdenbeath 1

Cowdenbeath 0 Stranraer 0

Joint top scorer Graeme Brown scorned an early chance and then just failed to connect with a knock-on from Chris Webster as Cowden made a bright start.

Kevin Gordon just failed to get on the end of a Brown cutback but the visitors came even closer when an Andy Scott drive glanced off the woodwork.

After a goalless first half, Stranraer showed a bit more urgency in the second half but young Dave Mowat was in terrific form beside skipper Davie White who returned from injury. Keith Wilson, fielded up front as a foil to Graeme Brown, caused a few problems to the Stranraer defence while at the other end a succession of corners put Cowden under pressure.

Closest call came in the Stranraer goalmouth when a flowing Cowden move ended with a Kevin Gordon side-footer being blocked on the line to deny the Blue Brazil victory.

Before the end, Ian McDonald was harshly shown the yellow card before Cowden kids Jackie Myles and Jonathon Bain were given their senior debuts.

Cowdenbeath - Gary O'Connor, Willie Miller, Ian McDonald, Davie White, Keith Wilson (Jackie Myles 84), Dave Mowat, Gary Fusco, Michael Renwick, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Chris Webster (Jonathon Bain 76). Subs not used - Alan Fleming, Andy Campbell and Paul Currie.

Hamilton Accies 2 Cowdenbeath 0

Cowden's two-year stay in the Second Division officially came to an end at Hamilton on Saturday when the Accies ran out 2-0 winners in a low-key encounter. Two cheap goals conceded in the opening 15 minutes sealed Cowden's fate despite a late onslaught on the Accies goal.

Centre-half Keith Wilson was made captain for the day and immediately went up front beside Graeme Brown while Gary Fusco made only his second start of the season in place of banned midfielder Craig Winter.

Ian McDonald did well to clear an early Brian McPhee effort while a Willie Miller chip into the danger area almost produced a goal for Chris Webster. The first counter, however, came at the other end courtesy of an abysmal lack of communication between Andy Campbell and Gary O'Connor which left McPhee with the simple chance of stroking the ball into an empty net.

Worse was soon to follow when a partial clearance reached Kevin Gordon at the edge of the Cowden area but the midfielder lost out to Martin Bonnar who whipped in a shot which beat O'Connor all ends up.

Cowden tried to get back into the game before the interval but the breaks did not go their way despite decent efforts from Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon and Chris Webster.

The second half started with Accies containing Cowden pretty comfortably until Elliot Smith and Mike Renwick came on for John Elliott and Andy Campbell as Blue Brazil boss Keith Wright decided to pour men forward.

Willie Miller had a couple of spectacular long-range efforts blocked but it wasn't until the final few minutes that Cowden exerted continuous pressure on the Accies goal with corner and corner being scrambled clear. But, as was the case too often this season, the breaks did not favour Cowden and the Accies goal remained intact.

Cowdenbeath - Gary O'Connor, Willie Miller, Ian McDonald (Kevin Byle 84), Andy Campbell (Michael Renwick (63), Keith Wilson, Dave Mowat, John Elliott (Elliot Smith 63), Gary Fusco, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Chris Webster. Subs not used - Marc Graham and Keith Wright.

Cowdenbeath 0 Berwick 1

A lacklustre display by Cowden saw them edged out by relegation rivals Berwick and the odds are now firmly stacked against the Blue Brazil escaping from their predicament.

Cowden opened brightly and emergency striker Keith Wilson twice had shooting chances but blazed his first effort over while his second was stopped by the Berwick keeper.

The visitors nudged ahead with only ten minutes gone when a throw-in found Gordon Forrest in acres of space and he drove towards the edge of the box before unleashing an unstoppable effort which sailed into the net.

The Blue Brazil were dealt a blow when Wilson, whose height and physical presence was causing the visiting defence concern, was taken off following a head knock, although he reappeared ten minutes later swathed in bandages.

Cowden tried to go forward in search of an equaliser but the final touch eluded them. Graeme Brown miskicked with the goal at his mercy and Craig Winter instigated a five-man move which ended with him receiving the ball back at his feet but, inexplicably, he failed to shoot and the chnace was lost.

Meanwhile, Wilson was forced to retire and Cowden used their full compliment of substitutes, including a rare appearance by Keith Wright, but they were unable to make any further impression on the sturdy Berwick defence.

Cowdenbeath - Gary O'Connor, Michael Renwick, Ian McDonald (Chris Webster, 55), Andy Campbell, Keith Wilson (Gary Fusco, 60), Dave Mowat, John Elliott, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon (Keith Wright, 80), Elliot Smith.

Subs not used - Allan Fleming, Jonathon Bain

Dumbarton 3 Cowdenbeath 1

Cowden slipped deeper into the drop zone after a disappointing match at Dumbarton which the home side eventually won 3-1.

Boss Keith Wright stuck with the same defence which had only conceded one goal in three games but his plans were soon reshuffled when Willie Miller was forced to quit with an injury.

Cowden had made the brighter start with Kevin Gordon and Iain Mauchlen coming close but the first goal was always going to be absolutely vital in such a tense relegation battle. Unfortunately it came in controversial circumstances when Elliot Smith was adjudged to have produced the nudge which sent Paddy Flannery into an acrobatic dive.

Flannery soon bounced up to hammer home the penalty and give Sons a boost in confidence as well as a 1-0 lead. Ian McDonald was booked for a saving tackle before Cowden were rocked by a second Dumbarton goal before the interval, John Dillon being given too much time to pick his spot in the net.

Cowden looked more like their own selves in the second half and picked up the tempo, helped by a deserved booking for Flannery for another dive in the box. Mauchlen was also shown the yellow card before the Sons hitman tried to rip the jersey off him only to escape punishment from ref Colin Hardie.

The introduction of Davie White and Liam Buchanan to the fray pepped things up as Cowden tried to close the gap. Buchanan accepted a superb through pass from Craig Winter and his cutback found Graeme Brown a yard out but his effort was stopped on the line. Kevin Gordon had a decent effort from the resultant corner but his header flashed just wide.

Davie White was booked for his first foul - on Flannery - and then another golden chance arose when a Buchanan shot was parried into Mauchlen's path but the midfielder blasted wide. Worse was to follow for Mauchlen as he was soon involved in another altercation with Flannery and this time it was yellow and red as he was sent off. Craig Winter also got involved in the pushing match with Flannery and he was booked.

The ten-man Cowden battled on and were at last rewarded with a penalty and there was no doubt about this one as Davie White was on the brink of scoring when he was chopped down from the back. Kevin Gordon netted from the spot and Cowden were still in with a ghost of a chance.

However, as they threw everyone forward, gaps appeared at the back and Emeka Obidile wrapped up the points with a late counter.

Cowdenbeath - Gary O'Connor, Willie Miller (Elliot Smith 23), Ian McDonald (Davie Whie 55), Andy Campbell, Dave Mowat, Michael Renwick, Iain Mauchlen, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Chris Webster (Liam Bucanan 63). Subs not used - Marc Graham and John Elliott.

Booked - McDonald, Mauchlen, White, Winter. Sent off - Mauchlen

Cowdenbeath 1 Brechin City 0

After going nearly six months without a home win, Cowden went on to record their second successive victory - and clean sheet - at Central Park as promotion "certainties" Brechin City were put to the sword for the second time in 2003.

However, there was never a chance of another 12-goal thriller this time but Cowden fans were more than happy to settle for victory and three much-needed points against Dick Campbell's men.

The suspension of Keith Wilson and Davie White, an injury to Elliot Smith and the long-awaited return to fitness of Willie Miller forced boss Keith Wright to field a totally-untried defensive formation but it came through with flying colours.

Ian McDonald, enjoying his best spell in a Blue Brazil jersey, did well to mop up an early Brechin attack and then he featured at the other end as well but his strong free-kick was blocked by the Brechin wall.

It was an open game as both teams went for a goal and Cowden top scorer Graeme Brown was unlucky to be called back for offside. He was even unluckier when referee Ritchie ruled no penalty after veteran Harry Cairney - making his 700th senior League appearance - clearly handled a Brown effort.

In fact, Cowden also had another couple of penalty claims firmly turned down but it took a smart stop from Gary O'Connor to keep the scoresheet blank at the interval.

Cowden produced the best move of the match when Iain Mauchlen and Chris Webster engineered an opening for skipper Craig Winter but his low drive whistled wide. Then Kevin Gordon gave Graeme Brown a half-chance but the striker was always off-balance and his left-footer lacked power and direction.

However, the opening goal evenutally came after 70 minutes when Chris Webster skinned Greig Miller on the left touchline and was promptly was felled as he cut along the byeline. A stonewall penalty and Iain Mauchlen - as always - kept his cool and beat ex-Premier keeper Scott Thomson all ends up.

Brechin threw everything - including Roddy Grant - into attack but the closest they came was from a Chris Templeman overhead kick which bounced back off a post.

Back came Cowden and Thomson had to be alert to beat sub Liam Buchanan to a defence-splitting pass from Graeme Brown who himself missed a late chance to add to his goal tally when Thomson got down to block his low drive.

Cowdenbeath - Gary O'Connor, Willie Miller, Ian McDonald, Andy Campbell, Dave Mowat, Michael Renwick, Iain Mauchlen, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon (Liam Buchanan 80), Chris Webster. Subs not used - Marc Graham, John Elliott, Gary Fusco and Keith Wright.

Attendance - 274

Stenhousemuir 1 Cowdenbeath 1

Cowden may have earned only a share of the points at Ochilview on Saturday but the draw was a notable result achieved by total effort and commitment by the whole team.

Elliot Smith replaced Liam Buchanan in a reshuffled line-up with the emphasis once again being on attack. However, it was the defence who were first into action with both Gary O'Connor and Ian McDonald producing heroic blocks on the goalline.

Cowden found it difficult to produce any flowing football but sheer effort kept them in the game and they soon produced the first class move of the match when Graeme Brown slipped a great pass through to Kevin Gordon who skipped past two defenders only to be sent crashing to the ground when about to score.

Ref Ian Brines sent the Cowden fans and players into a frenzy by refusing the penalty despite having a perfect view of the incident. Hines, who also later let a Stenny striker go unpunished when he punched a cross into the net, came in for persistent abuse from the fans but he also did himself no favours by reacting to the jeers from the crowd.

The temperature increased on the park as well after the interval and there was a spate of bookings before the final whistle including Blue Brazilians Keith Wilson, Elliot Smith and Craig Winter.

As always, its goals that count and there were close calls at both ends before Cowden eventually broke the deadlock with 11 minutes to go. Ian McDonald hammered a free-kick against the Stenny wall and when it was only partially cleared Kevin Gordon stepped up to score with a low drive from the edge of the box.

Just as Cowden fans were contemplating a victory which would lift them off the bottom of the table, Stenny struck back when a Steve McCormick header was in turn headed in the opposite direction by Kevin Donnelly and the Blue Brazil defence could only watch as the ball trickled over the line.

Manager Keith Wright, who had earlier brought on Liam Buchanan in place of a defender and also pushed Keith Wilson into attack, came on as a late sub and almost snatched a glory winner but he was pushed as he rose for his header and his effort sailed past.

Cowdenbeath -- Gary O'Connor, Elliot Smith (Keith Wright 87), Ian McDonald, Dave Mowat, Keith Wilson, Michael Renwick, John Elliott (Liam Buchanan 67, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Iain Mauchlen. Subs not used - Alan Fleming, Andy Campbell and Kevin Byle.

Booked - Keith Wilson, Elliot Smith and Craig Winter.

Cowdenbeath 2 Dumbarton 0

Cowden at last claimed an overdue home victory as a resuffled side battled from start to finish to deservedly collect all three points against relegation rivals Dumbarton.

It was a timely boost to the Blue Brazil's hopes of avoiding the drop and the only pity was that the game was watched by the lowest home crowd of the season.

With regular defenders Davie White and Andy Campbell suspended and Elliot Smith and keeper Marc Graham injured, manager Keith Wright shuffled his pack and brought in Gary O'Connor, Keith Wilson, Michael Renwick and Ian McDonald. In addition, John Elliott moved back into a more midfield role to replace Chris Webster and allow Liam Buchanan to partner Graeme Brown up front.

Cowden made a flying start and first to have a go was Kevin Gordon but his effort went well over. The Blue Brazil did more attacking in this opening spell than in the whole of the first half against Airdrie but Sons looked deadly on the break and Gary O'Connor had to look smart to block a low drive from Gary McCutcheon.

But a Blue Brazil goal looked on the cards and it duly arrived after 17 minutes although in bizarre fashion. Liam Buchanan was felled in the packed box as he tried to reach a free-kick but referee Brian Cassidy missed the incident. Fortunately his assistant David Doig - who famously ruled a Celtic goal offside in the Old Firm Cup final on Sunday - spotted the incident and the award was duly converted by Iain Mauchlen with a flashing drive.

Cowden were back on song with some flowing football and seemed in no mood to surrender any points. Sons had to replace big Andy Brown after he came a clear second best to Keith Wilson in a 50/50 challenge and Paddy Flannery was introduced to the fray.

Cowden were under the cosh at the start of the second period and Sons almost snatched a controversial equaliser with a quick free-kick while Cowden were still organising their wall. Gary O'Connor, however, was alert to the danger and saved at full stretch, a feat he had to repeat another twice as Sons enjoyed their best spell of the match.

Young Liam Buchanan was taken off after completing a hard shift and the fresh legs of Chris Webster checked the Sons onslaught as Cowden, driven on by Craig Winter, turned the tide. And they then doubled their lead from a 25-yard free-kick by John Elliott who chalked his cue perfectly to curl a stunning effort over the wall into the postage-stamp corner.

Iain Mauchlen and Craig Winter came close and Chris Webster even closer while manager Keith Wright - a late sub for Graeme Brown - almost scored as well with a first-time drive.

Any chance Sons had of saving the game ended when Tom Brown was sent off and Cowden were content to run the clock down in the closing minutes to achieve their first clean sheet in six months!

Cowdenbeath - Gary O'Connor, Michael Renwick, Ian McDonald, Dave Mowat, Keith Wilson, Iain Mauchlen, John Elliott, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown (Keith Wright 84), Kevin Gordon, Liam Buchanan (Chris Webster 60). Subs not used - Alan Fleming, Kevin Byle and Danny Sweeney.

Booked - John Elliott and Graeme Brown.

Cowdenbeath 1 Airdrie United 2

Cowden played their sixth game in 18 days and there were obvious signs that their hectic programme was catching up with them as they eventually went down 2-1 to relegation rivals Airdrie United at Central Park on Saturday.

A lack-lustre display only moved up a gear when boss Keith Wright put on three subs but although an equaliser soon came, Cowden conceded another late goal to cough up all three points.

Iain Mauchlen returned to the starting line-up at the expense of centre-half Keith Wilson and Cowden kicked off with John Elliott sharing the striking duties with Graeme Brown.

Cowden survived an early scramble in their goalmouth but soon replied with a good move between Graeme Brown and John Elliott which gave Elliot Smith a shooting chance but his effort went well over.

Airdrie took the lead after 13 minutes when a speculative cross from the right sailed over the Cowden defence to the unmarked Liam McVey lurking at the back post and he first-timed the ball past Marc Graham.

Within a minute Graeme Brown had earned a corner which found the head of Dave Mowat but his net-bound effort was blocked on the line and scrambled clear. Brown then attempeted a cut-back from the byeline but keeper Mark McGeown was alert to the danger.

United seemed happy to sit on their slender advantage as Cowden failed to put them under any real pressure. However, a lucky block by John Elliott landed at Graeme Brown's feet but once again McGeown was equal to the striker's effort.

Kevin Gordon sprung the offside trap at the start of the second half as he chased a long through ball from Elliot Smith but McGeown beat him to it. With nothing much else happening, manager Keith Wright replaced the injured Elliot Smith and tiring John Elliott with Michael Renwick and Liam Buchanan on the hour mark.

The best move of the match then came when Craig Winter, Graeme Brown and Kevin Gordon interlinked to send Brown racing clear down the left but unfortunately his attemped cross to the unmarked Iain Mauchlen was intercepted by keeper McGeown.

Keith Wilson then replaced Chris Webster and immediately took up residence on Airdrie stopper Scott Wilson's doorstep which meant things started happening for Cowden.

A deserved equaliser soon came when a deep cross from Michael Renwick seemed to have eluded everyone but Kevin Gordon successfully chased the lost cause and his cutback was nodded into the net from five yards by Liam Buchanan.

With 15 minutes remaining, Cowden now had their tails up and looked as if they could go on and win the game. An incredible scramble in the Airdrie goalmouth ended with Keith Wilson bundling the ball over the line after a Kevin Gordon effort had been handled in the box. Cowden fans, however, were stunned when referee Winter disallowed the goal, refused the penalty and ruled offside.

The Blue Brazil were dealt an even worse blow when a controversial free-kick was awarded against Winter. The ball was floated into a packed goalmouth only to somehow reach the unmarked Scott Wilson who had time to pick his spot and steer the ball past Marc Graham. It was a late sickener and a replica of the injury-time equaliser conceded against Forfar.

To complete Cowden's misery, defender Andy Campbell picked up two yellow cards in the closing minutes and now faces automatic suspension.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Elliot Smith, (Michael Renwick 60), Andy Campbell, Davie White, Dave Mowat, Iain Mauchlen, John Elliott (Liamm Buchanan 60), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Chris Webster (Keith Wilson 64). Subs not used - Gary O'Connor and Kevin Byle.

Booked - Andy Campbell. Sent off - Andy Campbell.

Stranraer 4 Cowdenbeath 4

The Blue Brazil bounced back from their narrow derby defeat on Saturday by turning in another battling performance at a windswept Stair Park to earn a 4-4 draw against Stranraer on Tuesday.

Boss Keith Wright shuffled the pack a bit, with ever-present Mike Renwick making way for Andy Campbell and also Iain Mauchlen and young Danny Sweeney replacing Liam Buchanan and Kevin Byle on the bench.

It did not take the Blue Brazil long to give their loyal travelling support an early lift when left-sided midfielder drilled a sweet strike into the net from the edge of the box after only two minutes. Unfortunately, Keith Wilson soon conceded a penalty and ace marksman Ian Harty levelled the scores.

Back came Cowden and their top scorer Graeme Brown was in the right spot to complete the job when a Kevin Gordon shot was only partially cleared. Once again, however, Stranraer hit back to equalise before the interval through Bruce Jenkins.

Cowden again came out of the blocks on fire and wee John Elliott scored the goal of the game when he hit the target from an acute angle, giving the keeper no chance. Yet again, Cowden could not contain the eager Stranraer strikers and first Andy Kane and then Ian Harty struck to put the Blue Brazil behind for the first time in the match.

However, the current Cowden side are never easily beaten, despite their lowly League position, and John Elliott retored parity when the keeper could only punch away an Elliot Smith free-kick. Cowden then tried their best to clinch all three points but had to settle for a draw.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Elliot Smith, Dave Mowat, Davie White, Keith Wilson (Michael Renwick 58), Andy Campbell, John Elliott, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Chris Webster (Iain Mauchlen 75). Subs not used - Gary O'Connor, Ian McDonald and Danny Sweeney.

Booked - Elliot Smith, Keith Wilson, Craig Winter.

Raith Rovers 2 Cowdenbeath 1

Cowden did not let their healthy travelling support down but unfortunately they could not upset their full-time local rivals for a third time this season - but there was no lack of effort or commitment.

John Elliott was recalled to the side in place of the injured Iain Mauchlen and came very close to setting Cowden on the road to another shock againt the runaway League leaders. Elliot Smith fed a perfect pass through the inside-right channel and Elliott pounced to beat the keeper only to see his effort hit the post.

Not unexpectedly, the quality of the Raith side started to shine through with the unstoppable Willy Nanou causing havoc down Cowden's left-hand flank. It was no surprise when the opening goal came from that area when a Nanou cross was headed goalwards by Cristian Patino whose effort was deflected high over Marc Graham's head into the net.

Davie White might have equalised from a headed effort but it was Raith who struck again with a quality move which enabled Paul McManus to break through and he drilled a low effort into the corner of the net.

As the Raith fans settled back to enjoy a goal glut, Keith Wright/s men showed they had other ideas and battled back into the game, getting a just reward when Keith Wilson was on the spot to thunder home a header after a John Elliott free-kick had only been partially cleared.

Cowden finished the stronger side and were cheered off the park by their fans and resumed just as enthusiastically. Chances were few and far between, however, although Graeme Brown came close with a header whcich struck the woodwork. Craig Winter, too, was only inches away with another header.

Andy Campbell, who had come on for Dave Mowat, was joined by teenagers Liam Buchanan and Kevin Byle as Wright tried everything to snatch an equaliser. Even Keith Wilson was put up front in a desperate gamble but it failed to pay off as Raith exploited the gaps and created a couple of openings which they failed to convert.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Elliot Smith, Dave Mowat (Andy Campbell, 56), Keith Wilson, Davie White, Michael Renwick (Liam Buchanan, 66), John Elliott, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon (Kevin Byle, 81), Chris Webster.Subs not used - Gary O'Connor and Ian McDonald.

Booked - Elliot Smith, Craig Winter and Keith Wilson.

Attendance - 1900.

Cowdenbeath 0 Hamilton Accies 1

Cowden could not have picked a worse time to produce an under-par performance as this defeat left them stranded at the bottom of the table, four points behind Hamilton and Airdrie.

It was the Blue Brazil's first League defeat of 2003 and the first time they had failed to score since early November as well as extending their winless home run to ten games.

Boss Keith Wright shuffled his defensive pack with ever-present Andy Campbell giving way to the returning Keith Wilson and young Dave Mowat switching to full-back. Despite a floodlight failure scare, Cowden started brightly enough and could so easily have taken an early lead if referee Gilmour had agreed with nearly everyone in the ground that it was a clear-cut penalty when Paul McDonald felled Graeme Brown in the box.

The ref and his standside assistant were near enough to have a clear view but no award was made. Cowden resumed on the attack with Kevin Gordon and Keith Wilson going close. Wilson, however, nearly gifted a goal to Accies when he was dispossessed by Martin Bonnar who teed up Alan Russell but the striker somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar from three feet.

The game rapidly detiorated into a dire midfield battle with virtually no openings being created although Iain Mauchlen came close for Cowden and keeper Marc Graham did well to tip over a Russell header to keep the scoreline blank at the interval.

The less said about the second half the better from a Cowden point of view as the players continued to treat the ball like a hot potato and mishit passes were commonplace. Accies were not much better but at least they got several shots in to trouble Marc Graham but the keeper was up to them all.

However, his goal led a charmed life and the woodwork saved Cowden on several occasions as Accies continued to dominate despite Andy Campbell and John Elliot being introduced as subs for Cowden.

Cowden almost stole a goal when Elliot Smith combined well with Graeme Brown and the striker's effort was scrambled clear for a corner. It was Hamilton, however, who struck gold when Ally Graham nodded the ball down to sub Gareth Armstrong and he netted with a low drive.

Cowden almost grabbed a late equaliser in an amazing scramble in the Accies goalmout but it was obvious long before then that this was not going to be their night.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Elliot Smith, Dave Mowat, Davie White, Keith Wilson (Andy Campbell 73), Michael Renwick, Iain Mauchlen (John Elliott 76), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Chris Webster. Subs not used - Gary O'Connor, Kevin Byle and Liam Buchanan.

Booked - Elliot Smith and Davie White

Cowdenbeath 2 Forfar Athletic 2

Cowden were suckered for the third time this season by a Forfar side which once again snatched a draw with a late strike, leaving the Blue Brazil with only two points instead of nine from the three fixtures between the clubs.

Boss Keith Wright sent out the same starting line-up which had fought back with three second-half goals against Stenhousemuir in midweek and his faith seemed justified as Cowden made a whirlwind start.

Iain Mauchlen forced Loons keeper Mike Brown into a great save after only three minutes. The keeper then only just managed to beat Kevin Gordon to an Andy Campbell pass before he again stepped in to save after Graeme Brown and Elliot Smith had combined well.

Davie White also came close with a couple of headers before Cowden eventually got the ball in the net courtesy of a penalty expertly taken by Iain Mauchlen. White was again involved, being bundled to the ground by Forfar skipper Alan Rattray who had been lucky to escape an earlier yellow card for dissent after hurling the ball away.

Confidence flowed through the Cowden ranks and the influential Michael Renwick produced another opening for Graeme Brown who neatly turned Rattray before shooting just wide. Forfar perked up a bit towards the interval but their best chance came through indecision between Andy Campbell and Marc Graham which left Paul Tosh with a scoring chance but he lobbed over.

Chris Webster and Craig Winter combined briliantly just after the interval and the latter's cute back-heel was picked up by Kevin Gordon but his flighted effort sailed just wide. The second Cowden counter, however, was only delayed although there was nothing creative about this one.

Sheer strength and persistence from Graeme Brown panicked the hapless Rattray into a passback to keeper Mike Brown who appeared to consider lifting it up only to change his mind at the last minute and the ball slipped between his legs and over the line.

Loons gaffer Ray Stewart soon sent on reinforcements, going with four strikers, and these tactics certainly swept Forfar back into the game but Cowden were equally aggressive, both Graeme Brown and Craig Winter coming close with decent efforts.

Then veteran George Shaw, thrown on as a sub, was given room to set up fellow sub Colin Hodge and the local youngster was allowed time and space to fire the ball into the corner of the net despite Marc Graham's fingertip block.

That really fired up Forfar and fans were astonished to see Shaw and his own skipper Rattray squaring up to each other. Arms were raised in anger as they lost the plot but the officials caught only the end of the incident when Andy Campbell had already stepped in as a peacemaker. No cards were issued.

Rattray, however, was not to be denied his red card and when Craig Winter took the ball to the corner flag in an attempt to kill the game in the last minute, Rattray kicked him to the ground. Ref Calum Murray had no option but to reduce Forfar to ten men.

Cowden, meanwhile, had put on all three subs in an effort to stem the Forfar flow and it was one of them, John Elliott, who conceded a foul at the halfway line deep into injury time. Skipper Davie White tried in vain to organise his defensive colleagues, all 10 of them, and when the partially-cleared free-kick was returned into the box three Forfar men ran on to it with Paul Tosh getting there first to head past Marc Graham.

It was Forfar's final touch of the ball and another hard lesson for the Cowden side which trooped dejectedly off the park.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Elliot Smith, Andy Campelll (Ian McDonald 81), Dave Mowat,, Davie White, Michael Renwick, Iain Mauchlen, Craig Winter,, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon (Liam Buchanan 72), Chris Webster (John Elliott 81). Subs not used - Gary O'Connor, Keith Wilson.

Cowdenbeath 3 Stenhousemuir 3

Brechin City 5 Cowdenbeath 7

The above scoreline is one of the most astonishing in Cowden's long and eventful history, especially as it came from a team which had gone ten successive League games without a win!

You have to scroll back to 1978 to find Cowden's last seven-goal haul - a 7-1 win over Albion Rovers at Central Park - and all the way back to 1959 for the last occasion the Blue Brazil hit seven goals away from home when they won 7-4 at, of all places, Brechin.

The 452 fans, including a large Cowden contingent, were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Saturday as goals flowed in at both ends for the full 90 minutes and even Cowden boss Keith Wright and hat-trick hero Derek Riordan both admitted later they had lost count of the score.

It was a memorable week for Riordan, who followed up his 20th birthday on Thursday by scoring his first-ever senior goals as did fellow loan star Paul Hilland. The Hibs pair arrived at Central Park for the Fife derby on New Years Day and Cowden are still unbeaten in 2003 which promises hope in the formidable fight ahead to stave off relegation.

The game also marked Iain Mauchlen's first goal of the season and Chris Webster's first appearance in a Cowden jersey when he came on as a second-half substitute.

Brechin started on fire and hit the bar before they eventually went ahead in the ninth minute when Derek Clark hit the target from the edge of the box. Cowden immediately roared into attack with Riordan coming close but it was club captain Davie White who grabbed the equaliser when he didnt need a second invitation to hammer home a knockdown from an Iain Mauchlen corner.

Back to the other end and it was soon 2-1 to Brechin when Fifer Chris Templeman - top scorer in the Second Division - thumped the ball home in a scramble. Then Graeme Brown sprung the Brechin offside trap and was left with only David Hay to beat but the keeper came out on top on this occasion as his block took the pace off the ball and it was scrambled clear.

Another Mauchlen corner provided Cowden with a second equaliser when it was headed towards goal by Keith Wilson and Derek Riordan was on the spot to complete the job and make it 2-2 at the interval.

Cowden were the team which started the goal glut in the second half and Riordan scored his second with an audacious chip which eluded Hay but, incredibly, Brechin were back on level terms within a minute when Kevin Fotheringham converted a penalty.

The goals continued when Paul Hilland and Andy Campbell combined to set up Riordan whose effort was cleared off the line as was Graeme Brown's follow-up but Kevin Gordon made it third time lucky with a rocket into the top of the net. Then Hilland made it 5-3 with his first senior goal and it is safe to say he will score better ones as Hay allowed his weak free-kick to slip into the net.

A Jamie Smith header soon reduced Cowden's cushion to a single goal at 5-4 but the Blue Brazil could do no wrong and a solo sizzler from Iain Mauchlen and another sweet strike from Derek Riordan made the points safe despite a late counter from Templeman.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Michael Renwick, Andy Campbell, David White, Keith Wilson, Iain Mauchlen, Derek Riordan, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon (Kevin Byle 79), Paul Hilland (Chris Webster 65). Subs not used - Gary O'Connor, Ian McDonald and Dave Mowat.

Keith 1 Cowdenbeath 3

After six years without a win in the Tennents Scottish Cup, Cowden now already have two victories under their belt this season after following up their 4-1 demolition of Selkirk with an emphatic 3-1 win at Keith on Saturday.

It came as a major surprise on Saturday morning that the game had been given the go-ahead but one look at Kynoch Park was enough to see how much hard work had needed to be done to get the game on and the pitch was definitely playable.

Cowden boss Keith Wright handed teenage striker Liam Buchanan his first starting jersey but the little hitman had few chances to shine after being injured in a hefty early challenge and was replaced by Kevin Byle at the interval.

The less said about the first half the better from the Cowden viewpoint after a dreadful display when the Blue Brazil failed to get a single shot on target as they allowed Keith to dictate the game.

Winning tackles were few and far between and it was left to keeper Marc Graham to save the day on his Scottish Cup debut, thwarting Keith with several great stops after the Cowden defence had been prised apart.

When the interval arrived goalless and a heavy blizzard started, it was the Cowden fans who were hoping for a timely abandonment but, fortunately, their favourites came out in fighting fashion for the second period.

Despite Cowden looking a lot livelier and starting to stretch Keith on the flanks, it was the Highland outfit which took the lead with a well-worked goal finished in fine fashion by Derek Nicol. Cowden, to their enormous credit, did let the heads go down but instead fought back in the best possible fashion with the neatest move of the match and it provided an early equaliser.

John Elliott, recalled to the side in place of the ineligible Paul Hilland, gained possession in a good position and split the Keith defence with an inside pass to Iain Mauchlen in full flight. The winger took a touch, looked up, and delivered a pin-point cross to the head of Graeme Brown who celebrated his 200th appearance by heading hom his 52nd goal for the club.

It was just the boost the Blue Brazil needed and suddenly passes began to find their man and the good football started to flow. However, there was nothing stylish about the second Cowden counter as it came courtesy of the Keith defence but John Elliott had no hesitation in accepting the gift to left-foot the ball over the line.

The Blue Brazil certainly had the scent of victory and were in full flight as Keith tried their best to stem the tide. Kevin Gordon raced clear after springing the offside trap and his final effort slipped past the keeper only to come back off his left-hand post. Then the Cowden fans behind the Keith goal were dancing in the snowdrifts when Graeme Brown rose to meet a Gordon cross five yards out - but somehow their hero headed the ball wide.

John Elliott later had an equally easy chance after he brilliantly chested the ball under control only to blaze wide from six yards. It was left to young Kevin Byle to show them the way when he rattled a square pass into the roof of the net for his first Cowden goal to make it 3-1 and put the Blue Brazil into the next round.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Michael Renwick, Andy Campbell, Davie White, Keith Wilson, Iain Mauchlen, John Elliott, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon, Liam Buchanan (Kevin Byle 45). Subs not used - Gary O'Connor, Gary Fusco, Gerry Crabbe and Gary Gilfillan.

Booked - Michael Renwick

Attendance - 400

Cowdenbeath 1 Raith Rovers 1

Cowden finally got some reward for their improved recent form and no one could deny the Blue Brazil deserved a share of the points against the runaway League leaders at a sodden Central Park.

Cowden hammered Raith on their earlier visit to Central Park but there was never any chance of this New Year fixture being anything other than a close affair, despite it being a bottom v top clash.

Cowden boss Keith Wright handed an immediate debut to Hibs loan stars Paul Hilland and Derek Riordan while keeper Marc Graham made his League debut, having earlier been beaten only in extra-time in a Cup clash against Ross County at the start of the season.

The Cowden new boys immediately caught the eye when Hilland picked out Riordan with a defence-splitting pass which the striker just failed to reach. Then Raith keeper Oseda spilled a rocket drive from Iain Mauchlen but recovered in time to save the day.

Graeme Brown played in the lively Riordan and he beat Oseda to the pass but referee George Clyde controversially ruled he had fouled the keeper as the ball broke free. Then the keeper did well to thwart Brown as Cowden continued in command.

The Blue Brazil squandered a golden opportunity to open the scoring when Kevin Gordon and Riordan sprung the Raith offside trap, both being left unmarked in the box. Gordon opted to go it alone but his shot went past the wrong side of the post.

Two minutes later ref Clyde incensed Cowden fans for booking Hilland after he emerged from a strong tackle with the ball. The free-kick handed possession to Raith and they scored a magnificent goal when an Andy Smith head-flick picked out Karl Hawley who gave Graham absolutely no chance with a 20-yard volley.

Keith Wilson advanced into attack and his hopeful header was almost bundled into the net by Riordan as Oseda flapped about once again. Riordan came even closer before the interval when a Wilson flick from a Hilland corner was blocked and rebounded to the young striker but his first-timer was kicked off the line.

Cowden battled gamely for the equaliser after the interval but the full-time Raith outift seemed content to soak up the pressure and stick to their patient build-up game plan.

That all changed with 20 minutes to go when Cowden brought on teenage striker Liam Buchanan for his League debut as well as regular midfielder John Elliott. The two subs soon combined with Buchanan turning on an Elliott pass to wrong-foot the Raith defence and deliver a perfect pass to Brown.

Cowden's top scorer showed his class by letting the ball roll wide of keeper Oseda before steering the perfect finish into the far corner of the net. It was a well-deserved equaliser for a team of part-timers which has gone ten League games without a win amid a terrible run of bad luck. And it could have even better when Mauchlen deftly controlled a 50-yard pass from Andy Campbell but was unluckily crowded out before he could get his shot in.

Cowdenbeath - Marc Graham, Michael Renwick, Andy Campbell, David White, Keith Wilson, Iain Mauchlen, Derek Riordan, Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, Kevin Gordon (Liam Buchanan 72), Paul Hilland (John Elliott 72). Subs not used - Gary O'Connor, Kevin Byle and Gary Fusco.

Booked - Hilland, Winter, Riordan.

Attendance - 1919

Cowdenbeath 1 Dunfermline 2 (after extra time)

A glorious display by the Blue Brazil ended in heartache for the Cowden fans when they were beaten 2-1 by local rivals Dunfermline after extra-time in the CIS Insurance Cup tie at Central Park.

However, the Cowden support stayed behind to applaud their team's efforts which so nearly caused the biggest shock of the night as the high-flying Premier Pars were brought down to earth with a bump.

John Elliott, enjoying his first start of the season, was the man who stunned the full-timers after only ten minutes with a spectacular thunderbolt from nearly 30 yards which flew into the net.

Graeme Brown had carved out the chance by pinpointing Kevin Gordon who laid the ball off to Elliott and the little striker scored with a real screamer.

The Cowden choir were soon in full voice but were hushed seven minutes later when ref Kenny Clark judged that Andy Campbell had handled the ball as he cleared up at the edge of the box. To every Cowden fan justice was done when keeper Gary O'Connor pulled off a magnificent save from the spot-kick taken by Scotland cap Barry Nicholson.

Pars upped the pace in an effort to produce an equaliser but were restricted to mainly long-range efforts as Cowden grew in stature with every man playing his part inspired by the outstanding displays from Gary O'Connor, Davie White and a supercharged Craig Winter.

Defender Willie Miller, outstanding all season for the Blue Brazil, limped off with a calf injury and Kenny Munro came on as his replacement.

Lee Bullen gave Cowden a scare when he smacked a header against the bar as Pars piled on the pressure before the interval, while Davie White even hit one clearance halfway up Chapel Street.

But it was Cowden who almost ended the half with another goal. Graeme Brown was felled in the box as a John Elliott cross floated over but the referee ruled no penalty. The ball broke to Lee Dair and his powerful drive skimmed the bar.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Cowden defending well and the few genuine chances created by the Pars being wasted. Pars regularly shot from outside the box but there was no way Gary O'Connor was going to be beaten from that range.

At the other end Graeme Brown was causing the Dunfermline defence all sorts of problems with his pace and strength. Lee Dair injured a hamstring and was replaced by Gary Gilfillan before Cowden again came close to adding a second goal when a John Elliott free-kick was deflected over the bar.

With only 12 minutes to go Gilfillan and Winter combined to give Brown a chance but his angled effort was brilliantly blocked by Pars keeper Stillie. Two minutes later Pars were on level terms when Scott Thomson nipped in to score after the Cowden defence failed to clear a cross which, if left alone, would have drifted out of play.

That was a bitter blow to the Blue Brazil but the heads did not go down and they forced the tie into extra time where, not surprisingly, they were forced on to the back foot as the full-timers stepped up the pace.

Bullen missed two chances but made amends in the 100th minute when he executed a neat turn and slammed a shot into the roof of the net. Cowden gave teenager Scott Gibb has seasonal debut at the start of the final period of extra time, taking off Elliott and pushing giant defender Keith Wilson into the attack.

These tactics produced a couple of corners but no clear-cut chances and Dunfermline were content to run the clock down, apart from a last-minute free-kick for Cowden which had every heart in the ground beating a bit faster. Unfortunately, it was cleared.

Cowdenbeath - Gary O'Connor, Willie Miller (Kenny Munro 32), Andy Campbell, Davie White, Keith Wilson, Michael Renwick, Lee Dair (Gary Gilfillan 67), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown, John Elliott (Scott Gibb 106). Subs not used - Marc Graham and Ian McDonald.

Match reports of the mighty Blue Brazil