League Division Two, Bayview Stadium

East Fife 2 Cowdenbeath 2

 

 

 

The Fifers edged this pulsating derby encounter on chances, but will be gutted to take only one point after losing a late, late goal. Throw in a missed penalty; a shot off the woodwork; and a last-gasp sitter missed for the Fifers - along with several great stops by Brown - and this was an entertaining resumption after the long winter lay-off.

 

Things started with a bang when a great cross by McManus in the first minute was met by Young who headed just over. Cowdenbeath then raced up the park; McQuade bore down on goal, to be denied by a superb tackle by Muir. The game hardly settled, as both teams went hammer and tongs at each other; the first goal coming on 14 minutes. From a free kick, Fagan sent a beautiful ball into the box; Smart's header was palmed away by Hay; but Linn was on hand to drive the loose ball home under the big keeper.

 

The game continued to be open - Brown making a great save from a McBride 30 yarder; McManus's shot was well saved after he deceived Mbu; then Fagan had a good run, spoiled by a wild shot. A lapse in concentration by the Fife defence on the half-hour mark allowed the visitors to equalise. Muir and Smart were exposed by McQuade and Wardlaw in the box; the ball falling to Wardlaw, who fired home from 12 yards. Cowdenbeath now had their tails up, and pressed; bringing another great stop by Brown. The Fifers held out, however, and should have led at the break, when McCunnie was crudely barged over in the box on 43 minutes by Linton - but McManus's penalty was surprisingly fluffed, and the ball dragged wide.

 

The second half continued the pattern of high tempo, end-to-end, action. McQuade put a snap shot over the bar; Watson had a great run, ending with a shot against the base of the post; McQuade shot wide with the goal at his mercy; Brown tipped a Wardlaw effort onto the crossbar; Linn's 30 yarder slipped wide; then Brown magnificently tipped over a deflected pile-driver from Baxter.

 

Something had to give, and it did on 81 minutes - a quick throw by Watson; a jink by Linn and a great lay-off to McManus wide; a superb deep cross; and Young was at the back post to squeeze a header home - a wonderful move and goal, and the Fifers in the driving seat.

 

If things had been bubbling away nicely before, the tension was ratcheted up further as both teams fought tooth and nail - and the league leaders got an equaliser on 87 minutes - a drive into the box; a lay-off; and Wardlaw spun and fired low from 15 yards into the bottom corner. The Fifers were stung, and threw everything at regaining the lead. Danny Lennon was sent to the stand as tension mounted, and the Fifers pressed. With one minute remaining, a great cross by Fagan from the right swept across the face of the goal to McManus, who somehow failed to connect from two yards out. The merest of touches would have secured all three points, but it was not to be - points shared in a breathless match.

 

East Fife: Brown, Watson, Ovenstone, Fagan, Smart, McCunnie, Crawford, Young, McManus, Muir, Linn [Conway 85]. Subs not used: Sludden, Cargill, Kerr, Stobie.

 

Cowdenbeath: Hay, Armstrong, Linton, Winter, Baxter, Mbu [Droudge 25], Fairbairn, McQuade [Ferguson 77], Wardlaw, Robertson, McBride [Ramsay 63]. Subs not used: Stein, Bower.

 

Referee: J McKendrick

 

Booked: Mbu, Winter, Linton [C]

 

Dismissed: Lennon [Manager - C]