Cumbernauld Colts 4, Cowdenbeath 2

IT was the proverbial game of two halves, at a blustery Broadwood Stadium on Saturday, as the Blue Brazil threw away a two goal half time lead.

The result sees Cowden remain in 11th spot, in the Lowland League, while the Colts moved up a place into fourth.

Both teams were at their best playing into the strong wind and good finishing had the Central Park side two up after 40 minutes.

Jamie Docherty scored for the second successive game, with 13 minutes gone when he was set up by skipper, Robbie McNab, and his shot from the edge of the box, via the underside of the crossbar, beat keeper Ryan Adamson.

Minutes later, at the other end, Cowden ‘keeper, Craig Hepburn parried a Daniel Hatfield effort around the post at the expense of a corner, and midway through the first-half another effort from the impressive Hatfield shot was blocked by Gregor Jordan.

Five minutes from the break Stevie Crawford’s side doubled their advantage, when Matty McDonald finished off a good move to slot home from close range.

Four minutes into the second half Colts dragged themselves back into the game when Cole McIntyre slotted home from close range.

At the other end Daryl Healy had a chance to restore Cowden’s two goal advantage, but sent his shot over the bar, and on the hour mark Colts levelled when a shot from Zac McKay came off Craig Donald and beat Hepburn.

Midway through the second half Healy had a good opportunity to level when he got on the end of a long ball from Hepburn and his header beat Adamson but was off target, although he managed to retrieve the ball in his shot from a difficult angle went over the bar.

The Colts took the lead in 73 minutes, when Hatfield got his second goal of the afternoon, taking advantage of poor defending before Healy had another chance to level but sent his shot over.

Connor McLaren, however, completed the scoring with a 20 yard free-kick with two minutes to go.

Cumbernauld Colts: Adamson; Adams, Dickson, Home, Holmes (C McLaren 81), McIntyre, Hatfield (R McLaren 81), Webster, McCarvel (O’Boy 90), Ewan (Kirkpatrick 60), McKay (Ballam 89). Sub not used – Connelly.

Cowdenbeath: Hepburn; Trialist, Rodden, McNab, Jordan (MacDonald 70), Donald, Butterworth (Chalmers 80), McLaughlin, Healy, McDonald, Docherty. Subs not used -Trialist, Berry, E MacPherson and Trialist.

Referee: Andrew Craven.