COWDEN have to end 2016 with a result when they take on Stirling Albion at Forthbank on Saturday to stop them getting stranded at the foot of the Ladbrokes League 2 table.

Saturday’s disappointing result against Arbroath added to results elsewhere has the Fifers sitting two points behind Berwick Rangers, Stirling and Edinburgh City, who they play in their next three games.

Having lost their last three fixtures the Blues are in danger of being cast adrift unless they turn things around.

Like so many of their games this season they defended bravely against the very strong wind in the first 45 minutes and opened the second period well. They saw two efforts cleared off the Arbroath line but then they lost two poor goals and the game was lost.

Realistically Cowdenbeath have to look to take at least six points from these games with the teams closest to them to get away from the foot of the table. If they don’t then they will be in real trouble.

Cowdenbeath boss Liam Fox felt that his team battled really hard in the first-half and to get to the break against the wind goalless was just what the doctor ordered.

But at a time they were looking good things went horribly wrong when the normally reliable Dave McGurn made a terrible error for the key first goal.

The manager said: “The lads defended superbly as a team in the first period because the conditions were not easy and then started the second well and could have scored at least twice with good moves and shots which they managed to clear off the line.

“Then out of the blue we made a mistake and are a goal down.

“The team managed to shake off their disappointment and went back at Arbroath and again created a couple of chances but the second goal so late was a killer.”

Mr Fox added: “Like against Forfar and Annan there were a lot of good things to take out of the game but we were left without taking anything from the match.

“It seems to be that the mistakes we are making defensively are always being punished by our opponents and it is something we need to stop before it causes us bigger problems”.

Cowden now face fellow strugglers Albion away this coming Saturday. Then Berwick Rangers and Edinburgh City at home on January 7 and 14.

Added Mr Fox: “Every game we play now between now and May is a very big game starting with Stirling.

“We need to string together results like we did in November which took us up the table and that has to be the target.

“We have played well in many of the recent games but made an error or taken the wrong option at a key moment and it has cost us dear.

“Points are what we need and we have to start picking them up from this weekend to get us out of this current predicament.”

Centre-back Jamie Pyper should be ready to resume against Albion in a game which has a 2pm kick-off.

The young defender’s calf injury has shown great improvement over the past week but he was njot risked against Arbroath.