A MUCH better performance from Cowdenbeath saw them come close to beating second top Edinburgh City on Saturday and manager Gary Bollan wants his men to keep it going this Saturday when the Blues head for Annan.

But for a freak goal from City’s Mark Laird Cowden would have won the game, although the home side did miss several good chances.

Results elsewhere let Queen’s Park move into third spot and Elgin go ahead of Cowden on goal difference, leaving the Blue Brazil in fifth spot, but as manager Bollan pointed out it is up to his team to turn their games in hand into points.

He said: “It was a really good performance overall and it was very disappointing not to win all three points.

“We created some excellent chances and scored a fine goal and were really only defied by some incredible goalkeeping by the City ‘keeper.

“We could have been three up at half-time then early in the second period the lad pulled off two more point blank saves.

“Then with ten minutes to go the guy Mark Laird tries his luck from outside the box and it swirls into the net on the wind. Hard to take.”

He added: “Us being out of action has let teams catch up but we have games in hand over both Queen’s Park and Elgin and it is up to us to go and win the points and get back into third spot.

“We have to look to go to Annan on Saturday and win and then do the same at Elgin the following Tuesday.

“The ball is in our court and it is up to us to produce more performances like Saturday’s.”

Striker Kris Renton got his name on the scoresheet on Saturday and he wants to keep hitting the net in the games coming up.

“The goal was a really good team strike,” said the front man, who hurt a rib against City, “I sent David Cox down the wing and he cut the ball back so accurately that I had a fairly simple job of scoring from close in.

“We continued to create chances and should have scored twice early in the second period to probably put the game out of their reach.

“Losing that strange goal late on was a blow but it is up to us to keep playing like that in the games coming up and get the wins we need.”

Cowden should have midfielder Gavin Morrison fit again for the trip to the borders while Mikey Herd missed the City game with a severe cold and will be OK for Annan. Also back is Chris Hamilton, while Renton hopes to be ready for the game.

Meanwhile the club is considering re-signing striker Jordyn Sheerin for the remainder of the season after he looked good in training last week.

Cowden go to Elgin this coming Tuesday.