SATURDAY was a frustrating day for all connected with Cowdenbeath.

The players, management and fans were eagerly awaiting the visit of Stenhousemuir for the chance to win and move out of the bottom rung of Ladbrokes League 2.

And with the breeze of Friday keeping frost away hopes were high that the game would go on without any problem.

However, temperatures were again low on Friday night and when club officials arrived at Central Park on Saturday morning there were concerns about certain areas of the pitch.

With the knowledge that the thermometer was to rise as the day progressed they opted for a precautionary inspection at 11am and it was then that the situation deteriorated.

The official found the surface still to be too hard in places and pulled the plug on the game.

The only real plus marks for the Blues were that Edinburgh City lost 3-0 at Peterhead leaving Cowden still a point behind them while Clyde drew 0-0 with Montrose leaving them five ahead and that fact makes the next game at Cowdenbeath a week on Saturday against the Bully Wee, a really big game.

Cowden boss Gary Bollan was really disappointed that the Stenny game was postponed but knows that at this time of the year it happens and is now focussing on the trip to Stirling on Saturday

Cowden’s three fixtures before Christmas are so important with two of them are against top three sides. On Saturday the Blues are at second top Stirling Albion, then entertain Clyde and on December 23, they are away to Peterhead.

Peterhead, who won 4-0 at Central Park earlier in the season, have been having a good run and were comfortable winners over Edinburgh City at the weekend.

Clyde have former Blues boss Danny Lennon at the helm now, which adds extra spice to an already important fixture and it is the sort of game Cowdenbeath need to win to get away from their current plight.

But up first is Stirling Albion at Forthbank. Albion have been leading the table for much of the season but on Saturday they were shocked by Berwick Rangers by the only goal of the game which allowed Montrose to sneak in front of them.

However, they will be eager to get back on their winning ways so as Mr Bollan observed after the Edinburgh City game: “We have to be miserly at the back and take our chances.”

David Syme is still out with the third game of his suspension spell still to be played but apart from that there are no other selection problems with midfielder Blair Malcolm likely to be a key man for the Blues.