Bollan left to rue missed chances and mistakes

COWDENBEATH 1 STIRLING ALBION 2

Cowdenbeath took promotionchasing Stirling Albion all the way at Central Park but, at the end of the day, it was the same old story: no win.

Manager Gary Bollan said the game underlined the problems his League 2 basement boys have, competing well but making key errors at both ends of the park.

After a fairly dull first 45 minutes the second half had just about everything, including three penalty kicks.

Stirling were awarded a penalty in 64 minutes after Ross Kavanagh seemed to simply fall over under Blair Malcolm’s challenge, but Cowden keeper Dave McGurn saved Darren Smith’s spot-kick.

However, six minutes later McGurn was beaten from the spot by Peter MacDonald after skipper Scott Rumsby fouled Smith.

On 80 minutes Cowdenbeath levelled from the spot when a trialist was fouled by Darren Barr and Harvey Swann converted expertly.

The winner came six minutes from time when Cowden gave the ball away carelessly in midfield and Stirling sub Neil McLaughlin’s cross was perfect for MacDonald.

Bollan said: “Too often this season we have been doing well in games and then give away a very avoidable goal through a bad mistake, and we have to eradicate that.

“It is the same in an attacking sense. We had a superb chance to open the scoring in the first-half when David Cox set up Aiden Malone but he rushed his shot and a good opportunity was lost.”

Picture: SNS. A Harvey Swann goal wasn’t enough to save Cowdenbeath from defeat.