Cowdenbeath 1 Bo'ness United 1

COWDEN couldn't take revenge on Bo'ness and had to settle for a draw after the visitors came from behind to claim a point at Central Park last night.

Scott Sinclair broke the deadlock in the first half but the Blues lost both experienced defender Iain Davidson and midfielder Jack Garrad to first half injuries.

Bo'ness had knocked Cowdenbeath out of the Scottish Cup at Central Park in September and despite home skipper Jordan Armstrong marshalling his re-shuffled forces in an attempt to claim the three points, United levelled midway through the second period and it ended in a draw.

This Lowland League encounter under the lights started brightly for the youthful Blue Brazil side with Sinclair's pace and energy in attack posing problems for Bo'ness.

But the away team quickly settled and in the eighth minute Cowden goalkeeper Jack Ruddy did well to fingertip the ball to safety after Nick Locke fired a free kick round the wall and on target.

United looked more likely to score and in the 20th minute Tom Grant cleverly worked his way into the box and his angled drive produced a spectacular save from Ruddy.

Against the run of play the Fifers went ahead when the Bo'ness defence made a hash of clearing a cross and Sinclair pounced to fire a low shot past Musa Dibaga.

He almost doubled up moments later when the striker got free but curled a left foot shot inches wide.

Just before the break Armstrong made a brave goal-line clearance to prevent Dan Watt's effort finding the net.

Cowdenbeath were forced into a re-shuffle at half-time due to Davidson's knock and Mackenzie Lemon came on as sub.

Bo'ness continued to press forward and forced three corners but couldn't find a way through a packed rearguard.

In the 57th minute the Blues won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Sinclair’s free-kick was brilliantly saved by Dibaga.

They threatened again from a corner when Sean Slaven, who was just six yards out when he connected with the ball, was denied a goal by a last-ditch block from Lewis Hawkins.

Back came Bo'ness and on the hour Michael Gemmell burst forward and his 25 yard shot flew inches over the bar.

Watt then thumped a header just off target but in the 73rd minute they got their reward.

The ball broke to GRANT who was given too much space to fire the ball low past Ruddy.

Both sides tried hard to force a winner but the respective defences held firm.

Sinclair saw his free-kick bring out a good save from Dibaga and then he was out of luck when his effort from eight yards beat the goalie but run along the line and stayed out.

At the other end Ruddy, who was named man of the match, had to be on alert to stop Watt and Jamie Hamilton from hitting a winner.

The draw keeps Cowden in 13th place, three places and seven points behind Bo'ness.

Cowdenbeath: Ruddy; Robinson, Newman, Davidson (Lemon 46), Armstrong, Love, Struthers, Garrad (Bisland 42), Sinclair (Lyon 87), Slaven, Gilmartin.

Subs not used, Berry, Martins and Farrell (gk).

Boness United: Dibaga; McCormack, Mcaulay, Locke, Hawkins, Gemmell, Jones, Grant, Watt (Miller 80), Hamilton, Walker.

Subs not used, Johnston, Hughes, Todd, Heeps and Torres-Sanchez (gk).

Referee: Kyle Hall.