Cowdenbeath fortunate to come away with a point

Published on Sunday 17 January 2010 23:19

FANS of Second Division football saw action for the first time in 2010 with leaders Cowdenbeath coming out of cold storage at Fife rivals East Fife where they enjoyed a shade of good fortune to come away with a 2-2 draw in an action-packed encounter at Bayview Stadium.

Bobby Linn put East Fife ahead from close range after 15 minutes when he pounced after Cowden keeper David Hay had saved a Paul McManus header.

Gareth Wardlaw then levelled before half-time when he slotted home a Paul McQuade pass.

McManus, the Second Division's top goalscorer, missed a penalty two minutes before the break after Jamie McCunnie had been chopped down in the box, however the points looked destined to stay in Methil when Lloyd Young headed home a deep McManus cross from the tightest of angles after 81 minutes.

But Wardlaw popped up to snatch a point with just three minutes left when he shot home from the edge of the box.

Even at that stage, the home side had further chances to secure the points, McManus contriving to miss a low cross ball completely in the six-yard box when all he had to do was make a connection to score. The Fifers then scorned two more golden scoring opportunities, blocked desperately with seconds left on the clock.

East Fife assistant manager Scott Crabbe said: "Paul is absolutely gutted in the dressing-room but we will not be too harsh on him as he has been great all season for us."

Cowdenbeath manager Danny Lennon was sent to the stand just before the end after falling foul of referee John McKendrick, and Central Park assistant manager Ian Jenkins said: "Danny was a bit frustrated about a couple of things and as everyone knows he wears his heart on his sleeve."

Stenhousemuir got back to league action after their Scottish Cup reprieve and drew 1-1 with Arbroath at Ochilview.

In a disappointing encounter John Coughlin's side opened the scoring when substitute Robert Love side-footed home with only 13 minutes left, however Steven Hislop accepted a Steven Doris knockdown before shooting home on 86 minutes for a share of the points.

Coughlin's side have moved up to sixth place in the table and the Warriors boss said: "It always looked like one goal was going to win this game and we had it until we gave away a silly foul and then never defended properly."

Arbroath assistant manager Kevin McGowne said: "We came back into things well and the players deserve credit for the character that they showed. I am not too unhappy at getting a draw."

The matches at Clyde and Stirling were postponed on Friday with the Brechin City and Dumbarton match at Glebe Park called off on Saturday morning because of a frozen pitch.

Brechin manager Jim Duffy was not surprised, saying: "I knew on Friday that it only had a 50/ 50 chance of going ahead so it was not a total shock."

Duffy had hoped to see new loan signing Alex Walker in action after the paperwork to bring the Morton utility man on board was completed on Friday. "Alex needs games and his versatility will be a great asset to us," Duffy said.