CHANCES would be a fine thing for Cowdenbeath – if they were capable of taking them.

That was manager Gary Bollan’s view after seeing his team enjoy good spells and create opportunities against Queen's Park, only to lose 3-0 at home for their third defeat on the spin.

The Blue Brazil couldn't find the net and two deflected efforts gave the result a rather flattering look for the Glasgow side who stay top of the league.

Bollan said: “I felt the scoreline was a bit harsh on the lads, for while Queen’s are a good side we missed two outstanding chances at the start of the second-half which, if converted, would have put us right back in the game.

“To rub salt in our wounds they took advantage of the situation by getting a second goal with a shot which was going straight to Ross Sinclair before it took the strangest of deflections to wrong foot him.

“Ian Russell, Craig Barr and Kris Renton had good chances and we have to learn that tucking these sort of openings away is key to winning games.”

Cowdenbeath go to Forthbank to tackle Stirling Albion on Saturday and an early Christmas present for the boss would be to see his men stick the ball in the net and end their poor run.

It has seen the Blue Brazil mired in the bottom four, with four points from six games. However they do have a game in hand and Bollan knows the picture could quickly change if they can get the wins to climb the table.

The manager reflected: "The first goal Queen’s Park got was possibly one we could have stopped, but the defending was better overall.

"The second and third goals came from deflections and we have to look to continue to improve our work at the back at Stirling.

“But the fact is that if we scored these chances at the start of the second-half it could have turned the match on its head and better finishing is a key part of our plan for this Saturday.”

The manager will have experienced midfielder Gavin Morrison available for the trip to Stirling, now fit after being out since the start of the season with a groin injury.

Robbie Buchanan and Kris Renton were back in action against Queen’s, so the injury nightmare that has lasted since the start of the season, is beginning to clear with only Ross Clarke out long term with the double fracture of the ankle suffered at Elgin.

Cowden currently sit in eighth place in the table, a point above both Brechin and Albion Rovers, while Stirling are in the top four.

Bollan reckons his team can turn things around and believes the midfield will start to look a lot stronger now with Mikey Herd fully match fit and Morrison on his way back.