Cowdenbeath boost League 2 survival hopes with vital win over Clyde

CLYDE 0 COWDENBEATH 2

Cowden last night threw themselves a relegation lifeline as they closed to within four points of Clyde and Edinburgh City at the foot of League 2.

Goals on either side of the break from Kyle Miller and David Syme gave boss Gary Locke his first victory since taking over at Central Park.

Yet it was the Bully Wee, on a high following a rare win at the weekend, who dominated early possession at a bitterly cold Broadwood and the hosts were presented with the perfect chance to take the lead on 11 minutes when Scott Rumsby committed a rash challenge on Scott Ferguson inside the box.

Referee Colin Steven pointed to the spot and flashed a yellow card at Rumsby but Cowdenbeath’s captain heaved a sigh of relief when Jamie Sneddon pulled off a fine diving save to deny Clyde’s top scorer Peter MacDonald.

MacDonald and Sean Higgins both shot over from promising positions for the hosts before the Fifers served notice of their attacking intent by forcing the play towards Mark McMillan in the home goal.

And McMillan was beaten moments before half-time when he could only parry a dipping Shuan Rutherford effort into the path of Miller who netted with ease from close range.

MacDonald, keen to atone for his earlier spot-kick miss, almost did so on the restart with a snapshot which was just off target.

Clyde fell further behind when Fraser Mullen’s pin-point cross was headed firmly home by Syme, the teenager’s first goal since his loan switch from neighbours Raith.

Cowden, clearly growing in confidence, were not content to rest on their laurels and Rumsby’s header was inches away from putting the issue beyond doubt.

Dale Carrick also saw an effort go close before the Bully Wee responded through the lively MacDonald who was unable to hit the target from an awkward angle.

At the other end Mullen’s shot was saved by McMillan as the visitors edged towards a precious victory.

MacDonald’s wretched night continued when he struck woodwork from close range to give Cowdenbeath another reprieve and the visitors took full advantage to hold on for a vital win.

Clyde: M McMillan, McNeil, Smith, Finnie (Millar 74), J McMillan (Trialist 61), McLaughlin, Flynn, Johnston (McKenzie 57), Ferguson, Higgins, MacDonald. Unused subs: Lochhead, Davidson, McGovern, Quinn.

Cowdenbeath: Sneddon, Rumsby, Rutherford, McLauchlan, Pyper, Syme, Mullen, Miller, Henderson (Ross 79), Carrick (Muirhead 88), Renton. Unused subs: O’Brien, Glen Johnston, Buchanan, McGurn (GK).

Referee: Colin Steven.

Kyle Miller: opened the scoring for Cowden.