A PENALTY miss and other wasted chances cost Cowdenbeath dear against Bo'ness United in Saturday's Scottish Cup defeat.

Scott Sinclair saw his spot-kick saved by visiting ‘keeper, Musa Dibaga, and the ‘keeper defied a couple of other good chances created by the Fifers.

Bo'ness did better in the second period, after surviving a bit of a first-half pounding, and after grabbing the lead from a good free-kick finish shortly after half-time, they used their experience in the second period to keep the Blue Brazil out.

They had former Cowden defender, Jamie Todd, in their ranks and he cleared a couple of dangerous situations late in the game.

Cowden did well against one of the most experienced sides in the Lowland League, but alas it was a game which slipped away from them through missed openings.

Bo'ness made a spirited start to the game and in the first minute Jamie Hamilton cut along the byeline and his low shot was deflected away from danger by ‘keeper Jack Ruddy.

In 13 minutes, Cowden missed a golden opportunity to go ahead when Sean Slaven was hauled down by Dibaga in the United box. But the ‘keeper came to the rescue by diving to save Sinclair’s spot-kick.

In 24 minutes, United’s Zander Miller was set-up by Alassan Jones but from only 10 yards he skewed his shot wide and two minutes later David Struthers got away from his marker and his right foot shot hit Dibaga’s left hand post.

Former Cowden front man Miller had another chance soon after but this time his finish was too high, then seven minutes from the break Ruddy made a fine fingertip save from a Jones 20 yarder.

Cowden went behind in 52 minutes when Daniel Martins made a clumsy challenge on Dan Watt 20 yards out and from the resultant free-kick JONES fired a left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The Blue Brazil tried to get back into the game by bringing on three substitutes, but Bo'ness defended solidly to keep their advantage going into the last quarter.

With nine minutes left one of the subs, Ewan Thomson, got space on the left hand side of the Bo'ness box and his shot was only inches wide.

Cowdenbeath: Jack Ruddy (7): Leyton Bisland (7), Sam Newman (7), Daniel Martins (7), Jordan Armstrong (7), Lucas Berry (7) (Jack Garrad 77 (3)), David Struthers (7),Stuart Love (6) (Ewan Thomson 61 (3)), Scott Sinclair (6), Sean Slaven (7) (Carlos Lyon 65 (7)), Aiden Gilmartin (6) (Ben Weekes 61 (3)). Subs not used, Jonny Jarron, Mackenzie Lemon, Daniel Farrell (GK).

Boness United: Dibaga (8): Hawkins (6), Jacobs (7), McCormack (7), Todd (7), Gemmell (7), Miller (7) (Smith 80 (2)), Jones (7), Watt (6), Hamilton (6), Walker (7). Subs not used, Johnston, Hughes, MacAulay, Grant, Coll, Ward and Sanchez (GK)

Referee - Ross Birrell (7)