Defeat sees Bollan’s ‘toothless’ Blue Brazil slip into danger zone

Having dropped to second-bottom spot in League Two on Saturday, Cowdenbeath will have to improve their form quickly to avoid getting involved in a scrap to stay out of the pyramid play-offs.

The Blue Brazil never really recovered from going behind to a penalty from veteran Rovers attacker Ryan Stevenson on 11 minutes, after Cowden full-back Harvey Swann had fouled Aaron Lynas in the penalty area.

Cowdenbeath attacked relentlessly after that, indeed Rovers did not have a shot at goal in the second period, but the quality of the home creativity and finishing was poor.

Graham Taylor came closest to squaring the game midway through the second period with a fine shot from 18 yards, which brought out a quality save from Albion keeper Harry Stone.

Towards the end, Cowden thumped the ball forward, but it all lacked guile and Rovers defended soundly to win and move up to the 10point mark, also occupied by Annan, and one ahead of Cowdenbeath.

The club have three games this week – away to leaders Queen’s Park tomorrow, away to Stenhousemuir on Thursday night, plus a home game against Elgin City on Saturday.

Manager Gary Bollan is aware of the situation facing his squad and has set a target of six points from the three matches.

He was bitterly disappointed after Saturday’s defeat, saying: “Apart from the shutout at Annan, we have gifted four of the five goals we’ve conceded in the last three games.

“Albion Rovers only had a couple of shots at our goal, but one of them came from the penalty we conceded from a rash tackle.

“But also going forward against Rovers, we really lacked a threat in the last third of the pitch, indeed we were toothless.

“They look really sharp in shooting practice but we can’t seem to bring it when it is needed. We are coming to the business stage of the season and we have to start getting the ball in the net.”

Cowden may have to do it without skipper Craig Barr, who took a heavy knock on the head and was diagnosed with suspected concussion.

Cowden’s Graham Taylor.