Linlithgow Rose 0 Cowdenbeath 1

Interim Cowden manager Stevie Crawford got off to a winning start thanks to an early goal from Jamie Docherty, at Prestonfield, on Saturday.

With three games to go, the result leaves the Blues still in 11th place in the Lowland League, but just three points behind University of Stirling who moved into seventh place.

Rose had the first chance of the afternoon, after just two minutes, when Conor McKenzie sent a shot inches wide of a post.

What proved to be the only goal of the afternoon came after eight minutes, when Matty McDonald picked up a Greg MacPherson throw-in and passed to Jamie Docherty, who played a one-two with Daryl Healy, before firing a fine shot past keeper Cammy Binnie.

Three minutes later, at the other end, Matty McDonald headed a pin-point cross from Conor McKenzie clear.

With 19 minutes gone Zac Butterworth was fouled on the edge of the box by Louis Maguire with the resultant free-kick from Jamie Docherty going just over the bar.

Midway through the first half Healy got on the end of an Andy Rodden cross but his header went just over the bar.

Docherty then caught the ball on the volley and sent a powerful shot just wide of the post as Cowden looked to turn their dominance into goals.

Cowden ‘keeper, Craig Hepburn, then pulled off a fine double save before Docherty was denied a second goal of the afternoon when keeper Binnie turned his shot around the post at the expense of a corner.

Rose boss Gordon Herd rang the changes for the second-half making a quadruple substitution at the break.

On the hour mark Healy sent a shot from the edge of the box just wide, while at the other end the hosts’ best chance of the afternoon saw Conor McKenzie through on goal in the six yard box, but he shot straight at Hepburn, who pulled off a fine save.

Rodden then saw his free-kick from the edge of the box crash off the cross bar as Cowden looked to kill off the game.

Rose played out the game with ten men, when Jamie Allan picked up a second booking for a foul on Rodden.

Linlithgow Rose: Binnie; Thomson (Paterson 46), Thom, McMullan, McKenzie, Simpson (Devine 46), Rae (Ogilvie 46), Penman, Masson, Allan, Maguire (McDowell 46). Subs not used – Murray and Hambrook.

Cowdenbeath: Hepburn; G MacPherson, Rodden, McNab, Jordan, Donald, Butterworth (Berry 75), McLaughlin (Chalmers 58), Healy (MacDonald 81), McDonald, Docherty. Subs not used – Trialist, Trialist and Trialist.

Referee: Kieran Trayner.