THE football big time returned to Cowdenbeath on Wednesday night with the Blue Brazil taking on Rangers in the William Hill Scottish Cup and it saw a bumper 4,116 crowd at Central Park, the biggest football gate there for many years.

It also was a bumper night for the pubs in the town with 3,400 visiting fans coming to Cowdenbeath to see Rangers win 3-1.

These sort of occasions have been few and far between over the past few years as the Blue Brazil have struggled to re-establish themselves after three years in the Championship and being relegated in successive seasons.

However, the club could be proud with its organisation of the tie with one of Scotland's football giants, despite the blow of the late call off on January 19.

The use of the heated tent over the pitch was a top notch idea and it ensured the game went ahead on Wednesday despite sub zero temperatures.

The £25,000 cost of the tent was shared between the clubs and although it was investment that the Blue Brazil could have done without, the money generated from the tie with Rangers is very valuable cash in the kitty at this stage of the season.

The club's finance director, David Allan, was happy with the way the things went on Wednesday and also with the Cowden performance.

He said: "It meant a lot of hard work over a two week period but everyone pulled together and it was great to see the ground busy and the team playing well.

"The revenue from the tie with Rangers should exceed £50,000, which is something we had not budget for, so it is very welcome.

"Hopefully we can have a successful run-in to the league campaign and be challenging for the play-offs at the top end of the table."

One of the stars of the evening, apart from the Cowdenbeath team was club mascot Bluebell who was everywhere before the game.

Our photographer David Wardle captured the evening.