Cowdenbeath 0 St Mirren 2

Premier Sports Cup Group E

Attendance - 638

PREMIERSHIP St Mirren found it hard work to subdue Cowdenbeath in this highly competitive tie at Central Park on Saturday.

Saints desperately needed a win, after losing their opening Group E match at home to Arbroath last week, but the Blues could have done better at both of the visitors’ goals.

These came from slack work by the Blue Brazil, who otherwise put on a good show and twice the Lowland League side were denied by good goalkeeping from Peter Urminsky, who last season defied Cowdenbeath at Central Park when he was on loan to Stenhousemuir.

While Cowden could have perhaps done more at the two Saints’ goals, they defended solidly for the most part with Mason McCready, MacKenzie Lemon, Jordan Armstrong and Sam Newman doing well.

In midfield, David Struthers, a product of the St Mirren youth set-up, was prominent, alongside Lucas Berry and Mark Donaldson, while Scott Sinclair was a problem for the visitors in attack until he had to limp off in the second period.

Saints started positively and Ryan Flynn’s cross, in three minutes, looked to be heading for Kieran Offord only eight yards out, but a timely clearance by Jordan Armstrong denied the young Saints striker.

In 12 minutes a smart move by Cowden saw Sinclair link up with Berry and the cut-back looked good for Struthers, but Mark O’Hara cleared the danger.

Three minutes later Sinclair was fouled on the edge of the saints box and from the free-kick the Cowden striker saw Urminsky make a top notch finger-tip save.

However, two goals in seven minutes put St Mirren in charge, and on both occasions the home defence was found wanting.

In 15 minutes a ball slotted into the Cowden box was not dealt with and Jonah AYUNGA fired home from 15 yards out.

Seven minutes later the second came. From a corner the ball fell to AYUNGA just outside the six yard box and he had time to poke the ball past McCready.

On the interval whistle Urminsky saved well from a first time Struthers’ 15 yard shot.

The second period had a quiet start to it but in 54 minutes Cowden forced successive corners, and from the second Lemon header just over.

Two minutes later Saints forced a corner, and with Charles Dunne threatening, Alfie Robinson guarded the ball out for a goal-kick.

St Mirren threatened again with ten minutes left when sub Richart Tait let fly from the edge of the box and the ball was only inches wide.

In the last minute Cowden’s Cammy Graham tried his luck from all of 35 yards with Urminsky off his line and the ball was only inches over the bar.

After defeats to Airdrie, Arbroath and now St Mirren, Maurice Ross's side will travel to Meadowbank tonight (Wednesday) to play Edinburgh City in their last group game.

Cowdenbeath: Mason McCready (7); Mackenzie Lemon (7), Sam Newman (7), Jordan Armstrong (7), Daniel Martins (6) (Alfie Robinson 46) (6), Jack Garrad (7), Mark Donaldson (7), David Struthers (7), Scott Sinclair (7) (Chris Aikamhenze 48 (5)), Lucas Berry (7), Cammy Graham (6). Sub not used, Daniel Farrell (gk).

St Mirren: Urminsky (7): Tanser (6) (Tait 64 (3)), Shaughnessy (7), O’Hara (6), Ayunga (8), Flynn (6) (Olusanya 64) (3), Erhahon (6) (Reid 79 (3)), Dunne (7), Grieve (7) (Henderson 75 (3), Strain (6), Offord (6) (Kiltie 64) (3). Subs not used, Fraser, Jamieson, Lyness and Gallagher.

Referee - Craig Napier (7).