Cowdenbeath 0 Stranraer 1

THIS was a sore one for Cowden as a late penalty sunk their hopes of back-to-back wins and left them adrift at the bottom of the table.

Manager Maurice Ross had hoped to build on the momentum of that first away victory at Stenhousemuir to kick-start their battle to try and catch the teams above them.

But defeat leaves them nine points behind both Albion Rovers and Elgin City, the Blues have also played a game more, which means a win at Cliftonhill this Saturday will be vital to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the dreaded play-off position.

It was still all to play for going into the last quarter of the match against Stranraer on Saturday but the visitors pushed Cowden back and, without using a lot of guile, did enough to earn a penalty with just six minutes left at Central Park.

The Blue Brazil had chances to be ahead at half-time but some good goalkeeping by Stranraer ‘s Jack Baker defied them.

The visitors, who are fifth in the table and pushing for promotion, were much the stronger side after the interval and eventually their power paid off.

Cowden had skipper Craig Barr in the side for the injured Jamie Todd and in the opening period, with Quinn Coulson again posing issues for the opposition, they did cause real problems for the Stair Park side.

But getting that key first goal again eluded them on their own turf.

In a very quiet opening neither side seriously tested the respective goalkeepers, but in 10 minutes Cowdenbeath forced a corner and from Craig Thomson’s set piece Jacob Glass headed over from eight yards out.

Moments later a Thomson cross looked to be perfect for Bobby Barr but he took his eye off the ball and it rolled out of play to safety.

At the other end, Matt Yates burst into the Cowden box and his angled drive went inches wide.

Fraser Mullen had a go from with a free kick from 30 yards but it flew into Baker’s arms.

Stranraer's Sean McIntosh then got in a fine effort which Cammy Gill saved, before a Thomson free-kick was just too high.

Ten minutes from the break the visitors came close when Paul Woods latched onto a loose ball and his shot on the turn was saved.

Coulson got free of the visiting defence and pulled the trigger but Baker blocked.

The hitman came again and with the goalie stranded this time it was Ayrton Sonkur who stopped his shot hitting the net.

Before the interval Robbie Buchanan came close to getting the opener but Baker saved well.

Stranraer upped the tempo with Thomson getting in the way of an effort by McIntosh while cool play by Craig Ross made sure Bobby Barr couldn’t get a clear shot at goal.

In 55 minutes a wind assisted cross-cum-shot from Stranraer’s Sam Ellis roared just wide of the post and the keeper then made a fine stop to deny McIntosh.

Stranraer were starting to take a grip of the midfield area and putting increasing pressure on the home defence.

Harvey Swann and Liam Buchanan were introduced in a bid to turn the tide but still Cowden struggled.

And in 84 minutes Mullen was adjudged to have fouled McIntosh after a fine save from Gill. YATES converted the penalty kick.

New signing Dave Carty raised home hopes with a fine run but there was no one in the middle to convert the striker's cross.

Cowdenbeath: Cammy Gill (7); Craig Thomson (7), Fraser Mullen (7), Jacob Glass (7), Craig Barr (7), Sam Denholm (7), Kyle Miller (6), Gavin Morrison (6), Bobby Barr (6) (Harvey Swann 70 (4), Robbie Buchanan (6) (David Carty 85 (2)) , Quinn Coulson (7) (Liam Buchanan 75 (3)).

Subs not used: Ross Clarke, Kyle Hutton, Kris Renton and Craig McDowell (gk).

Stranraer: Baker, Robertson, Sonkur, Muir, Gallagher, Woods (Trialist 63), Ellis (Brady 88), Ross, Yates, McIntosh, Duffy (Mullen 63).

Subs not used: Scullion, Burns, Watson, Walker, Hawkshaw and Smith.

Goal: Yates (84 pen).

Referee: Dan McFarlane (7).

Attendance: 331