Tranent 4

Cowdenbeath 2

IT was stoppage time heartbreak for 10 man Cowdenbeath as they lost two late goals to slump to another Lowland League defeat, writes Andy Mullen.

The Blue Brazil were 2-0 down at half-time but fought back to level the match before Tranent doubled up in time added on.

And salt was rubbed into gaping wounds with goalie Danny Farrell sent off just before the final whistle.

The result at Forester’s Park sees Cowden remain 15th in the Lowland League table, but they really should have taken something from this one.

Manager Maurice Ross saw his side create several good openings and have what looked like a fair goal chalked off.

As well as boss Colin Nish, there were three other former Blues players in the Belters’ line up – Kris Renton, Craig Barr and Kane O’Connor.

The hosts opened the scoring after just nine minutes, when the unmarked Ben MILLER got on to the end of a deep cross from the left, at the back post, to nod the ball home.

Cowden's Scott Sinclair almost hit back but his shot was well saved by Kelby Mason, while at the other end Euan Bauld nodded just over the bar, much to Farrell's relief.

The Blue Brazil then appeared to be back on level terms with 27 minutes gone, when an angled free-kick from Aiden Gilmartin evaded everyone in the box and flew into the far corner of the net, but his effort was controversially ruled out by the assistant referee.

Miller fired an effort just too high but five minutes from the interval his side went two up when Martin MAUGHAN tapped home from close range.

However, within two minutes of the second period starting Cowden were right back in it.

Barr, the former Blues skipper, gave his old team a helping hand when he palmed the ball away in the box and SINCLAIR confidently powered his penalty kick past Mason.

Tranent continued to pose problems with a Miller effort cleared off the line by Jordan Armstrong, while sub Carlos Lyon burst into the home box but slid the ball wide of the post.

With nine minutes left GILMARTIN'S angled shot come off the crossbar, however on the 90 minute mark he fired home an equaliser for the Blues.

The joy was short lived, however, as a minute into stoppage time BARR headed home at the second attempt, after Farrell had saved his first effort, although the Cowden goalie claimed he had been fouled.

As the Blues poured forward in search of another equaliser, they were caught on the counter attack with MILLER grabbing his second of the afternoon and killing off any faint hopes Ross' men had.

Before the final whistle blew Farrell, still apparently furious about the earlier incident which led to the third goal, saw red and was sent off for dissent.

Cowdenbeath: Danny Farrell; Ewan Thomson (Iain Davidson 19), Sam Newman, Daniel Martins, Jordan Armstrong, Lucas Berry (Jack Garrad 81), David Struthers (Dean Ritchie 81), Stuart Love, Scott Sinclair, Sean Slaven (Carlos Lyon 72), Aiden Gimartin.

Subs not used – Jonny Jarron, MacKenzie Lemon and Harry Osborne.

Tranent: Mason; Donaldson (Evans 81), Bauld (Rose 81), Renton (Reid 46), Barr, Somerville, O’Connor, Anderson, Maughan, Currie, Miller.

Subs not used – Docherty, McGowan, Reid, McCormack and Scott.

Referee: George Calder.

Attendance: 531