Bryan's late strike earned cup win for Cowdenbeath

AFTER being on the wrong end of late goals the previous week, a late strike at the Olivebank Arena on Saturday saw Cowdenbeath through to the next round of the South Challenge Cup.

While it wasn't a vintage display from the Blue Brazil, they battled hard for 90 minutes and got the result they wanted with Bryan Mwangi's last gasp strike.

Player boss Paul McLean shuffled his pack for this tie and a much-changed team had to be on the alert when a long shot from Oban Anderson was well saved by goalkeeper Blair Gallagher.

A minute later, at the other end, Cowden's Stuart McDowell took aim from inside the box but couldn't get the better of home stopper Liam Campbell, who got gloves on the ball.

Rhys Walker then had a pot at goal from the edge of the box that crept over the bar, and just before the break Mark Ferrie had a similar chance, with a similar outcome, as the visitors chased the opener.

Former Cowden striker Liam Buchanan saw a shot bounce back off the post for Musselburgh and the half ended goalless.

The deadlock was broken in 51 minutes when a Walker effort struck the post and the home side's Craig STEVENSON knocked the ball into his own net trying to clear.

Just short of the hour mark a Zach Khan blast was parried by Gallagher, and a few minutes later Campbell parried a McDowell drive.

Just past the hour and 'Burgh thought they'd levelled but Jackson Barker's shot thumped off the bar.

But the home side did get back on level terms shortly afterwards with a curling shot from Owen HASTIE.

With five minutes remaining a close-range McDowell shot was saved by Campbell and it looked like the tie was going to end in a draw.

But in the 89th minute a cross from Walker was met by MWANGI who slotted home his third goal of the season to win it.

Musselburgh Athletic: Campbell; Stevenson, Hutchings, Anderson, Buchanan, Auriemma (Fairgrieve 83), Barker, Khan (Courts 68), Caves (Todd 68), Porteous (Hastie 58), O’Connor. Subs not used – Laing, Wilson and Murie.

Cowdenbeath: Gallagher; Ness, Newman, Denham, Cameron, Wedderburn (Milne 68), Walker, Allan, Williamson (Mauchin 68), McDowell (Mwangi 83), Ferrie. Subs not used – Adamson, Hoggan, Petrie and Parker.

Referee: Ross Donaldson.

Attendance: 208