Cowden undone by same old failings, says boss Bollan

ELGIN CITY 3 COWDENBEATH 1

Gary Bollan blamed a lack of concentration in Cowdenbeath ranks for the collapse at Borough Briggs.

The former Dundee United and Rangers defender had no gripe with his players’ attitude and desire in the League Two defeat to Elgin City.

But Bollan, after watching his side stay fourth bottom in the table, pointed to the cause of their troubles after letting the game slip beyond them with 10 men.

He said: “We started well and even at 2-1 down we were still battling away, but the third goal and the sending-off finished that off.

“There’s been so many weeks now where we are switching off at important times and that happened today with their second goal right after half-time.

“But I can’t fault the lads for their effort and commitment because they were fighting for the full 90 minutes, even with 10 men.”

The Fifers took the lead but Elgin came from behind for a second home game running.

Cowdenbeath drew first blood on eight minutes when Jordan Sheerin slipped David Cox in to clip a nice finish past Kyle Gourlay.

Sheerin then headed over from a corner, before the home side got their act together with Rabin Omar firing just past on 14 minutes.

City’s pressure was rewarded on 25 minutes when a Brian Cameron

shot fell at the feet of Sutherland, who made space before clipping the ball into the corner of the net.

Greg Morrison then tested Cowden keeper David McGurn at his near post and the visitors were relieved when Robbie Buchanan’s hand-ball inside his own box wasn’t picked up by ref Scott Millar.

In first-half stoppage time, Elgin defender McHardy powered in a header from McGovern’s free-kick but McGurn made a fine reflex save.

It was no surprise when City took the lead four minutes after the break, with McHardy firing past an unsighted McGurn from Jordan Lowdon’s cut-back.

McGurn then made a fine parry from Morrison’s point-blank header as Cowden struggled to get out of their own half.

But the Cowden keeper was sent off for bringing down Greg Morrison in the act of scoring and a penalty was awarded.

With no substitute goalkeeper, Cowden had to put sub Jamie Pyper in goal and he was beaten by Sutherland’s 73rd minute penalty to make it 3-1.

Elgin veteran Jon-Paul McGovern, who played in defence for only the third time in his career, praised the City faithful for rallying behind the team after recent woes.

The 38-year-old said: “The fans were good today. They didn’t get too frustrated which I know it can be at times.

“They appreciated we were trying to play football the right way.”