CALUM Elliot marked his first match as Cowdenbeath manager with a 2-0 win over Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League Cup.

Goals from Jack Garrad and a first in Blue Brazil colours for Lucas Berry sealed their place in the Quarter-Final.

The win at Shielfield has earned Cowden a home tie with University of Stirling after their 5-2 triumph at Dalbeattie Star.

The two sides will meet at Central Park on Saturday, May 6.

It was an impressive win for the Blue Brazil, against a Berwick side which had lost only twice in 2023 and had been unbeaten at Shielfield Park since August.

But a Cowden team, showing several changes from last week’s defeat to East Kilbride, had a grip of midfield with experienced Andy Black working well with Jack Garrad, Stuart Love and Lucas Berry, controlling long spells of play.

The Borderers had the first chance of the afternoon when a corner from Alex Harris was headed wide by Lewis Baker, and a minute later Sam Newman burst into the home box but his shot was blocked by keeper Thomas Kay on his debut for the home side.

Danny Farrell was once again called into action with 20 minutes gone when he blocked another effort from Baker at the expense of a corner.

Midway through the first half Garrad sent a shot from the edge of the box just over the bar, while just short of the half hour Baker saw Farrell off his line and tried his luck with an audacious lob which went just wide of the post.

However, seven minutes from the break Cowden took the lead, when a shot from Berry was cleared into the path of Garrad who slotted home from ten yards.

Six minutes into the second half Scott Walker sent a long-range free kick just over the bar, but with 55 minutes gone it was 2-0 when a shot from David Struthers, who had gone on for the injured Callum Murray, came off the inside of the post and a home defender was unable to clear allowing Berry to poke the ball home for his first goal of the season.

With 71 minutes gone a cross from Stuart Love bounced off the top of the cross bar and six minutes later Farrell once again denied Baker, but there was nothing Berwick could do to stop Cowden earning a spot in the next round.