Cowdenbeath are hoping to bounce back from the weekend’s Lowland League Cup defeat at Stirling University with a win overs Civil Service Strollers this Saturday.

Manager Calum Elliot felt that in the opening phase of the Uni game, his side produced their best football of the season, but it was the way the team responded to the loss of the equaliser after such a promising start to the match, that worried the boss.

“While the weather was a bit awkward, the pitch was perfect and we opened excellently, got an early lead, and then created several very good chances, which should have put us in a very good position, but then we lost a goal and things started to go wrong after the break,” he reflected.

“The second-half performance was not good at all, as we capitulated and conceded three goals. University are a good side, undoubtedly, but so are we and we can play a lot better than we did for an hour at Forthbank.”

So the manager is looking for his team to up their game when they go to Edinburgh, on Saturday, to take on CS Strollers, who are lying sixth in the table with ten more points than the Blues, with two more games played.

So a win at Christie Gillies Park, would help the Cowden cause to break into the top half of the Lowland League.

“Our last five league games have seen three wins, a draw and one defeat, so we have shown consistency in that run which we need to repeat this Saturday against a team who defend well and take their chances,” added Elliot.

“Strollers are well organised, but it is up to us to defend solidly, take set-backs on the chin, and get back into the game, if we lose a goal.

“This will be another test of character, although we have shown in games that we can play some good football and create a lot of chances, but we need to take them.”

The team will be without Andy Rodden for the Strollers match, who was given a straight red on Sunday; and Aiden McLaughlin, who was sent off against Bo'ness United after receiving two yellow cards.

Jack Tait is likely to come into the side for Rodden, while new signing, Craig Donald , on loan from Dundee, may be asked to play at centre-back, which would allow skipper Robbie McNab go back into midfield.

With no injuries from the Stirling Uni game Elliot will have a big squad to choose from.