Cowdenbeath 0, Montrose 3 .

COWDEN, without central midfield pairing of Kyle Miller and Blair Malcolm, were unable to stop the Montrose juggernaut heading for the League 2 title.

At rainswept Central Park last night they made too many mistakes and failed to use the conditions in the second period.

The suspended Miller and injured Malcolm were sorely missed and the makeshift midfield just could not compete with arguably the league's best side.

But the first two goals came from really bad errors and that was a key element.

In the second minute Montrose ‘keeper Allan Fleming slid out to deal with Matt McInally’s through ball but he slipped on the very wet turf and gave away a corner which his defence mopped up.

With the strong wind behind them Montrose pushed forward and striker Martin Rennie. the former Lochgelly Albert man, forced two corners that but the ball was cleared twice by the defence.

Then in 24 minutes the visitors went in front. Chris Templeman created the danger after a Matt McInally error, with a well placed cross and attacking midfielder Lewis MILNE was in the perfect spot to fire a low 10 yarder into the net.

Eight minutes from the break Andrew Steeves’ fierce angled eight yard shot brought out a fine save from McGurn but within two minutes at the other end Harvey Swann took a pass from Ben Reilly and his 25 yard was just too high.

As Montrose stepped up their bid for another goal Terry Masson’s 22 yarder brought out a fine diving save from the Cowdenbeath ‘keeper to keep the interval deficit at one.

Inside two minutes of the second period the Gable Endies doubled their lead. McGurn failed to gather a Masson shot and RENNIE slotted the loose ball into the net from close in.

Then a short pass-back from Jamie Pyper saw McGurn thump the ball off Rennie and the ball flew up in the air with the breeze carrying it out of the box.

But on the hour it was 3-0. Milne fired a superb 25 yard free-kick past McGurn and the Fifers’ hopes of causing a surprise were in tatters.

Ten minutes from time Brad Smith brought out a fine finger tip save from Fleming with a 12 yard angled drive.

Cowdenbeath: Cowdenbeath: McGurn (5); McInally (5), Swann (6); Pyper (6), Gilfillan (7), Mullen (6); Cox (6) (Muirhead 52 (3))), Reilly (7), Sheerin (7), B Smith (6), Buchanan (6). Subs not used, Rumsby, A Smith, Hornby, Fotheringham and Penman.

Montrose: Fleming (6); Ballantyne (7), Steeves (7); Allan (6), Dillon (7|), Bolochoweckjy (6); Milne (8), Masson (7) (Webster 70 (3))), Rennie (7) (Johnston (3) 50)), Templeman (7) (Fraser 65 (3)), Redman. Subs not used, Fotheringham, Campbell, Watson and Millar.

Referee-Kevin Graham (6).

Attendance-378.