Bollan’s fury as Cowden lose out despite taking early lead

COWDENBEATH 1 COVE RANGERS 3

A dramatic six-minute spell saw this top-of-the-table clash spin away from Cowdenbeath at Central Park on Saturday.

The Blue Brazil had taken the lead in 15 minutes when skipper David Cox headed home Harvey Swann’s cross.

On the half-hour, they seemed certain to double the lead when a fine move saw Connor Smith fire the ball goalwards and with keeper Stuart Mckenzie beaten, the shot took a wicked deflection off Cox and flew to safety.

Then a minute later, a slack piece of home defending let Mitch Megginson force the ball home from three yards out.

In the 36th minute, the ball came off visiting attacker Scott Ross and rolled wide but referee John Mckendrick thought it had hit a defender and gave a corner and from it Fraser Aird scored from close in.

In the second period, both teams had chances with Kris Renton twice being denied by Mckenzie and home keeper Kevin Dabrowski saving from Declan Glass and Aird.

With 13 minutes to go, Aird grabbed a vital cushion for the league leaders with a fine 16-yard finish.

But Cowden manager Gary Bollan was incensed by the way Cove’s second goal came about, which allowed the visitors to take a rather fortuitous half-time lead.

Bollan said: “Unfortunately the referee thought at the last second it hit one of our players but I have looked at footage of the situation and as all our players thought and some of the visitors, it hit a Cove body last.

“Yes Robbie Buchanan should have cleared the ball but he slipped and Aird scored, but the situation should never have occurred.

“I felt overall we played pretty well and we were unlucky at one-up when a lovely move saw Connor Smith’s shot heading for the net when it hit David Cox on the back with the ‘keeper beaten.

“These are the fine margins that games can be won and lost on and it certainly went against us on Saturday.”