Cowdenbeath 3, Morton 0.

SPFL Championship Attendance-318 COWDEN improved their chances of beating the play-offs trap with this emphatic win over the Championship’s bottom side at Central Park last night.

A double from Kyle Miller helped them beat ‘Ton and move to within four points of Alloa who were beaten at Livingstonwhich delighted boss Jimmy Nicholl.

He said, “It was important that we grabbed the victory and we also scored some cracking goals so we are still keeping our chances of beating the play-offs very much alive.” Cowdenbeath showed several changes from the defeat at Dumfries with Sammy Stewart and Miller starting the game.

They both played their part in the win while James Fowler signed off after his loan spell comes to an end with an assured performance in midfield.

Miller played as a striker and hit the net twice while his front partner Greg Stewart also scored.

Thomas O'Brien slotted into the defensive set-up and did well until picking up a knock late on.

Cowdenbeath had a great chance in three minutes when the Morton off-side trap misfired and Greg Stewart ran into the penalty area and his low cut-back was met by Sammy Stewart and his shot was saved by the diving Derek Gaston.

But two minutes later the Blue Brazil took the lead. A long throw by Rory McKeown was perfect for Kyle MILLER whose 10 yard header flew high over the ‘keeper.

Morton hit back and forced a corner and from the set piece Thomas O’Ware got space in the home box but his shot drifted just wide.

In 19 minutes Tony Wallace showed good footwork and fired in a 25 yarder which struck home skipper John Armstrong and rolled just wide but four minutes later, at the other end, Greg Stewart beat two Morton defenders and fired a low shot just wide.

Seven minutes from the break, as Morton kept trying to press the home defence, Fouad Bachirou’s corner was met by Stuart Findlay and his 12 yard header just cleared the Cowden bar.

Morton sent former Cowden player Archie Campbell on for O’Connor and Barrie McKay for Darren Cole on the restart but it was Cowdenbeath who threatened first with a low Dean Brett cross which forced Findlay to hit the ball past his own left hand post.

The visitors were reduced to ten men in 53 minutes when Rowan Vine was red carded for gesturing to the terracing side linesman and on the hour McKeown got clear of the Morton cover and his chip just cleared the bar.

But two minutes later the home side got number two. The Morton off-side trap again failed and Greg STEWART ran clear into the box and coolly slotted the ball past Gaston.

Then with 21 minutes left the third came for the Fifers when Greg Stewart provided the chance for Miller who grabbed his second with a fine low 12 yard shot.

Then Greg Stewart almost grabbed a fourth with a fine run and a fierce 12 yarder cannoned back off Gaston and then Sammy Stewart missed an easy chance from eight yards.

Cowdenbeath: Seb Usai (6); Dean Brett (7), Rory McKeown (8); Thomas O’Brien (7) (Jordan Morton 82 (3)), John Armstrong (6), Nat Wedderburn (7); James Fowler (9), Sammy Stewart (7), Greg Stewart (8), Kyle Miller (8), Chris Kane (7) (David Gold 73 (3)). Subs not used, Stevenson, Milne, Hemmings, Robertson, Flynn (GK).

Morton: Gaston (7); Taggart (5), Fitzpatrick (5); Findlay (6), O’Ware (5), Bachirou (5); Wallace (6), Knight (5) (Fulton 63 (3)), O’Connor (4) (Campbell (5) 46), Vine (3), Cole (4)(McKay 46 (5)). Subs not used, Imrie, Robertson, McCormack, Caraux (GK).

Referee-John Beaton (6).

Attendance-318.