Published: Wednesday, 17th February, 2010 4:00pm

Cowden's blank at Ochilview

by Jim Stark

Comments (0) | Print | Email

Paul McQuade was defied by 'keeper.

COWDENBEATH stopped their three game losing run at Ochilview on Saturday but just could not find the firepower to get back on their winning ways.

Cowden were much more secure at the back than in recent weeks and Stenhousemuir's chances were limited but even when 'Muir were reduced to ten men in the second period the Fifers could not find the net.

Goalkeeper David Hay was in sound form in this one and while never overworked he dealt admirably with what Stenny could throw at him.

But the cover in front of him was much more solid than of late with Joe Mbu back in his central defensive role.

Big Joe was as reliable as ever putting in some perfectly timed challenges and winning almost everything in the air.

John Armstrong responded by being much more assured and the pair kept a tight reign on the Stenny front line and former Central Parker Scott Dalziel in particular.

Dene Drougde was in the right back role and be defended solidly while Kenny Adamson was also an excellent defender until his late dismissal for a last man foul.

The Cowden midfield four of Brian Fairbairn, Craig Winter, Jon Robertson and Mark Ramsay were a little quiet in the first-half but they started to take over in the second period and gave front men Gareth Wardlaw and Paul McQuade plenty of support.

The Blue Brazil found Stenny a lively lot in the opening seconds and Kevin Motion fired inches past in the first minute.

Cowden were playing second fiddle for a spell and Hay had to do well to pounce on a Motion pass before Dalziel could convert.

A good visiting move involving Robertson and Fairbairn saw McQuade almost latch onto the midfielder's prompt and then Wardlaw fired over.

Stenny continued to put together some nice passing moves and Hay was quick to react to stop Pat Scullion's effort before at the other and McQuade's shot carried well over.

As the interval approached Dalziel fired in a speculative effort which carried over and the period ended goalless.

But Stenny had a shock start to the second-half when former Cowden man Scullion received a second yellow for a foul on Adamson and was sent packing.

Cowden tried to pile the pressure on the home side but struggled to carve out many clear openings but in one good raid Wardlaw's low shot was saved well by Chris McCluskey.

The home side were finding themselves more and more playing the game in their own half as Cowdenbeath worked the ball from one wing to the other to stretch Stenny.

Jay Stein was introduced for Robertson with 20 minutes left and McCluskey brilliantly saved a McQuade effort which had 'goal' written all over it.

Hay was a virtual spectator by this stage but Cowden still struggled to break down a hard working home unit and it took a Droudge header from a corner to threaten McCluskey.

Stein then had to go off with an ear injury and young John Ferguson entered the fray and his pace posed one or two problems for the home rearguard.

Then as the game entered its closing seconds Adamson was sent off for pulling down Stenny substitute Paul Quinn with Cowden cover limited.

The referee saw it as a red card offence and the Cowden ten bolted the door to ensure that the Fifers left with a point.

Stehousemuir: McCluskey; Lyle, S Thomson; Gibb, J Smith (McLeod 45), Thom; Love (Quinn 68), Scullion, Dalziel, I Thomson, Motion. Subs not used, D Smith, Stirling, Bennett.

Cowdenbeath: Hay; Armstrong, Adamson; Winter (Baxter 90), Droudge, Mbu; Fairbairn, McQuade, Wardlaw, Robertson (Stein 68, Ferguson 82), Ramsay. Subs not used, McGregor and Bower.

Referee-Neil Watters. Attendance 443.