Cowdenbeath 3 , Elgin City 1.

Ladbrokes League 2

Attendance-242

COWDEN got their first victory since August and it was well deserved.

Elgin City were in the game in the second-half mainly through some fine goalkeeping from ‘keeper Brett Long, who was injured through his efforts.

He made some fine saves in the first period at Central Park on Saturday, including the one which eventually saw him have to retire at the break.

The Cowden midfield had a good first period with Robbie Buchanan and Brad Smith posing problems in the wide areas and Kyle Miller and Blair Malcolm creating quite a few good chances for Jordyn Sheerin and David Cox, who both were a handful for the Elgin defenders throughout.

The introduction of Elgin sub Shane Sutherland perked up the visiting challenge and they started to pose the hosts problems but Cowden were worthy winners with the defence assured throughout.

The game was dominated by a strong easterly breeze which Cowden booked in the first period and they dominated possession and managed to grab two goals before the break.

In 12 minutes Blair Malcolm raced away from the City midfield but his left foot drive was too high, however, in 15 minutes Bryan Gilfillan latched on to a weak clearance and his 20 yarder was saved by the diving Long.

Then in 17 minutes Sheerin and Robbie Buchanan worked a move which saw the midfielder fire a low 12 yarder which was blocked by Stephen Bronsky.

In 25 minutes the Blues threatened again when Brad Smith latched on to a Buchanan pass and Long dived at his feet to save before Cox fired a left foot shot just wide from 18 yards.

Nine minutes from the interval Fraser Mullen’s cross was met by Cox and his header was saved by Long but in 39 minutes Cowdenbeath took the lead. BUCHANAN took Sheerin's pass, cleverly held off two challenges, and fired a low 12 yarder past the ‘keeper then two minutes later a Mullen corner was perfect for SHEERIN to head into the net from only five yards.

Cowden opened the second period well and Gilfillan should have scored when Cox’s corner beat the defence and the defender, at the far post, had a clear header but he sent it wide from only five yards out.

City responded by Brian Cameron twice forcing good saves from Dave McGurn but in 61 minutes he had no chance with a superb 25 yarder from City sub Shane SUTHERLAND.

But Cowden got the key third in 84 minutes when Sheerin set up COX only eight yards out and he coolly netted. It was a deserved win.

Cowdenbeath: Dave McGurn (7); Fraser Mullen (6), Harvey Swann (7) (Scott Rumsby 64 (4)); Jamie Pyper (7), Bryan Gilfillan (7), Kyle Miller (6); David Cox (7), Blair Malcolm (7), Jordyn Sheerin (8), Brad Smith (6) (Mark Fotheringham 84 (2)), Robbie Buchanan (7). Subs not used, Matt McInally, Brandon Luke, Ben Reilly, Jack Whittaker and Blair Penman.

Elgin City: Long (7) (Waters 46 (6)); Cooper (6), Allan (7); McDonald (6), Bronsky (7), McGovern (7); Smith (6) (Sutherland 54)), Reilly (7), Byrne (5) (McLeish 46 (6)), Cameron (7), McHardy (7). Subs not used, Eadie, Whitehead, Ferguson.

Referee-Craig Charleston (7).