SATURDAY’S defeat from Ladbrokes League 2 leaders Stirling Albion made it three league defeats in a row for Cowdenbeath, but the good news was that the result did not further damage their position in the division.

While Cowden are still bottom, they are only a point behind Edinburgh City and another behind Clyde but grabbing a win at Berwick this Saturday could change all that.

The first quarter of the season is over and Cowden have just five points and more to the point, just three goals scored, so really a lot has to change in the next 27 games.

Cowdenbeath really need to string a couple of wins together and after the trip to Shielfield Park, Cowden have three home games in the shape of Montrose, Elgin City and Annan Athletic. Win half of these four games and the recovery would be well underway.

Assistant manager John Ovenstone admitted that his team desperately needs to grab the first goal in a game and he feels it could be a significant turning point.

He said after Saturday’s defeat: “I have played a lot of games in this division and I know exactly how important getting that opening goal is.

“Against Stirling we opened the game well enough and created a couple of half chances but did not score and as soon as Albion got the opener just before the half hour, you could see the confidence draining away from our young team.

“Stirling started to play much more comfortably and losing the second goal before the break was just too much to recover from. Albion have a lot of experienced players who were able to use that knowledge to keep us out.

“To be fair to the lads they kept at it in the second-half and forced their ‘keeper to make a couple of good saves, but we really need to get that first goal.”

Mr Ovenstone is staying highly positive about the way ahead: “That is the first quarter of the season gone and we are a few points short of where we would have wanted to be but looking at the past few seasons, our target this season is to try to get into a position where we are comfortably safe from being in the bottom spot.

“We have a very young squad, with only a couple of lads with any real experience, and the lack of goals is certainly something that has concerned every single one of them.

“The lads look confident in training but need to get a break or two out on the game pitch to help boost their confidence and get them over that winning line.

“We can win at Berwick if we can avoid making any errors that give away a cheap goal, and ensure that we take our chances. We have to concentrate hard on that.”

Defender Jamie Pyper will again be missing with his ankle continuing to swell and he is to receive a scan this week.