SPOT THE
the drama set to unfold after a fairly uneventful start to this match. That all changed when Brechin doubled their aggregate lead in 34 minutes.
Dale started and finished the move, trading passes with Elliot Ford before curling a stunning effort into the top corner from outside the box.
That was the start of a dramatic three- goal spell inside six minutes as Spence struck twice.
He converted a penalty in 34 minutes after McLean was penalised for handling Dylan Mackin’s drive.
And Spence took his tally for the season to 25 when he headed in Scott Taggart’s cross from close range five minutes before the break.
The Angus outfit regained their slim advantage in the 54th minute, McLean heading in Dyer’s corner.
Spence then grabbed his hat-trick with an overhead kick from inside the area in the 74th minute before Brechin midfielder Watt resorted City’s lead with a cool finish over Alloa keeper Neil Parry four minutes later.
But the travelling fans’ celebrations were short-lived as Mackin bulleted in a header from close range after connecting with another Taggart delivery.
Ext ra- time couldn’ t separate the teams and in a cruel twist, hat-trick hero Spence missed from 12 yards, as did Flannigan.
That left man-of-the-match Dale to score the winning spot-kick for Brechin.
The Blue Brazil had missed their last SIX spot-kicks heading into yesterday’s decider, including one in last week’s stalemate with Kilby.
So boss Gary Locke admitted he feared the worst when this League Two play-off final went all the way.
But Cowden held their nerve, slotting home all five penalties as East Kilbride’s Paul Woods missed the kick that proved so costly.
And relieved gaf fer Locke insisted it was a case of practice makes perfect. He said: “We had missed our last six penalties and when it went to a shoot- out I obviously feared the worst.
“If we’d scored two or three of those penalties then we would not have even been in the play-offs.
“But we practised penalties during the week and are delighted that we have managed to maintain our league status. That’s what we set out to do when I came in.”
However, Locke then revealed he was unsure if he would still be at Central Park next season.
The former Hearts and Killie boss said: “I don’t know if I will be the manager next season or if it will be somebody else. I will enjoy this moment and see what happens with my future.
“I will weigh up my options and see if I have any. I am aware it is very hard in football to get a job these days and if I get offered something as an assistant or firstteam coach I will consider it.”
Assistant Billy Brown disrupted his family holiday in Magaluf to fly back for what he deemed “the most important game Cowdenbeath has ever had”.
But his flight was delayed and he missed kick-off as well as Fraser Mullen’s opener for Cowden.
Locke said: “That just shows the commitment of Billy as he had planned a holiday in Magaluf a couple of months ago – I think he is getting a bit old to be going there!
“He missed Fraser’s goal and came in the dugout with his jeans on so I am going to fine him for not wearing a proper tracksuit.”
Just seven years after East Kilbride were launched, the Lowland League side were bidding to reach the senior game.
However, it was the Blue Brazil who drew first blood after just three minutes as Mullen rif led home a low 18-yarder.
Dale Carrick then crashed a header off the bar as Kilby clung on for dear life.
But on 64 minutes they drew level as ex- Cowdenbeath and Liv ingston star Kieran Gibbons scored a beauty from just outside the area.
Kilby’s Adam Strachan almost won it in extra time as his shot hit the bar, amid claims it had struck a Cowden hand. But it was to end in heartache in the shoot- out.
Mullen, Kris Renton, David Syme, Craig Johnston and Liam Henderson were on target for Cowden, with Strachan, Russell McLean and Joao Vitoria netting for Kilby before Woods’ miss.
Boss Martin Lauchlan said: “To go to a lottery like that after working so hard to get to this point is disappointing. The boys have shown they are more than capable of playing at this level.”