Edinburgh City 0, Cowdenbeath 0.

Ladbrokes League 2

Attendance-346

COWDENBEATH’S first shut out since the second day of the league season saw them earn a useful point at Ainslie Park.

In what was a very dour game on the astro surface, Cowden had more shots on target than the hosts but a draw was about a fair result.

Dave McGurn deserved his shut out, for while he was never overworked he performed without a fault and his kicking was solid.

The back four that did well against Annan was given another run out on Saturday and Jamie Pyper and Scott Rumsby worked well together in the middle, while full backs Matt McInally and Harvey Swann, got forward often to support their midfield colleagues.

Brad Smith and Blair Malcolm again were livewires in midfield and with Kyle Miller and Jack Whittaker putting in some telling passes the Blues were always in with a chance of grabbing the winner.

Cammy Muirhead did not have as many clear openings as he had against Annan but he still worked hard and got a few good shots away.

It was ‘same again for Cowdenbeath for this very important fixture against the team just a point above them and there were chances for both sides in the opening 10 minutes with Josh Walker firing in a shot from the edge of the box which McGurn saved while at the other end Muirhead dragged his finish just wide from the left hand side of the City box.

On 16 minutes Farid El Alagui got into a good position for City but his header drifted wide, then Scott Shepherd of Edinburgh headed over bit five minutes, later Trialist got in a clever effort which was saved by Calum Antell.

On the half hour Walker brought McGurn into action with a crisp 20 yarder but ten minutes from the break Smith’s 12 yarder was well saved by Antell.

Then five minutes later Trialist saw another creditable effort saved.

The second period started in a rather scrappy fashion and neither side could really maintain any sustained pressure.

However, on the 75 minute mark former Celtic star Craig Beattie blasted high and wide for City from a good position in the Cowdenbeath box.

Cowden had struggled to get any really telling shots away so far this half and City too started to run out of ideas, but with just seconds to go Smith sent a 20 yarder inches wide.

Both defences had been asked questions but the answers were found in plentiful supply.

Edinburgh City: Antell (7); Harrison (6) (Grimes 74 (3)), Morrrison (6); Beattie (7), McKee (6), Laird (6); Thomson (7), Walker (6), Shepherd (7), El Alagui (6), Henderson (6). Subs not used, Caddow, Hall, Olanrewaju, Morton and Allan.

Cowdenbeath: Dave McGurn (8); Matt McInally (7), Harvey Swann (7); Jamie Pyper (7), Scott Rumsby (7), Blair Malcolm (7); Jack Whittaker (6), Kyle Miller (7), Cammy Muirhead (6) (Jordan Garden 83 (2)), Brad Smith (7), Trialist (6) (Fraser Mullen 64 (3)). Subs not used, Shaun Rutherford, Ryan Connelly, Robbie Buchanan, Mark Fotheringham and Blair Penman.

Referee-Dave Lowe (6).