Cowdenbeath 1 - 0 Queen's Park: Cowdenbeath fall short

Cowdenbeath were last night coming to terms with back-to-back relegations after a 2-0 deficit proved insurmountable in the second leg of the League One play-off semi-final.

Queen's Park players celebrate their win and applaud their fans

Greig Spence’s goal early in the second half gave the Fife side hope, but they were unable to find a second against a resolute Queen’s Park team who will now face League Two rivals Clyde in the play-off final this week.

Cowdenbeath, who were mixing it with Hearts, Hibs and Rangers in the Championship last season, will return to the bottom tier for the first time since the 2008/09 campaign. Player-manager Colin Nish, who put himself on for the last 18 minutes, now faces an anxious wait to learn if he will be retained.

Cowdenbeath almost made the breakthrough in ten minutes when Chris Kane saw a volley from Lewis Milne’s long throw beaten away by Spiders keeper Willie Muir. They threatened again in 17 minutes but Milne blazed over from 12 yards out.

Queen’s Park’s resistance was breached in 54 minutes when Spence nodded home from close range after Ross Caldwell had headed a corner towards goal.

Cowdenbeath’s best chance to salvage the tie came in the 65th minute but defender Craig Sives shot straight at Muir after the ball broke to him six yards out.