Toothless Beath steal point to stay ahead

Cowdenbeath earned a priceless point in a goalless draw with fellow strugglers Albion Rovers last night.

It was a result which kept Gary Bollan’s side – without a win in their last six attempts in the past 10 years on the Lanarkshire ground – two points clear of second-bottom Annan.

Rovers were first to threaten after just seven minutes when Lewis Wilson burst down the left.

His cutback was met perfectly first time 15 yards out by veteran striker Ryan Stevenson, but defender Ryan Finnie was on the line to block.

The Coatbridge side had another chance five minutes from the break when Beath goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth had to race out to head clear from Matthew Aitken.

But Jamie McKernon’s 40-yard return effort was just wide of the mark although Lewis Wilson bursting in from the left almost got a vital touch.

Bollan’s side, with just one win in their last eight, showed why they are League Two’s lowest scorers with nine goals in 16 games.

They failed to get a single effort on goal in the first period, despite having the bulk of possession

Beath’s Jamie Todd was yellow carded in 56 minutes for a late lunge on Callum Wilson, but Stevenson’s low 25-yard free kick was easily held by Hogarth.

The Blue Brazil almost snatched a dramatic lead in 69 minutes when Fraser Mullen swung over a free-kick from the right which was met superbly by Craig Barr but his powerful header went just over.

Ten minutes from time Stevenson shot into the side netting and Lewis Wilson was unlucky not to grab all three points for Rovers when his 18-yard drive crashed back off the base of the far post.