First half goals have Cowden in control

ARBROATH 0 COWDENBEATH 2

First half goals from Craig Johnstone and man-of-the-match Nikolay Todorov gave Cowden a hard-earned Group C win but Arbroath threw away a great chance to get back into the game by missing a second half penalty.

Cowdenbeath made a bright start and Colin Hamilton had to be alert to prevent Todorov, on-loan from Hearts, from breaking clear while Robbie Mutch was twice called into action to make saves.

It was little surprise when the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute with a simple goal, Todorov nodding the ball into the path of the unmarked Johnstone who tapped home from close range.

Only a brilliant diving save from Mutch denied the Bulgarian four minutes later.

It took the Lichties until midway through the half to threaten, Ryan McCord stinging the fingers of David McGurn from long-range.

The home side had a strong penalty claim turned down when Bryan Prunty was bundled over.

The Blue Brazil doubled their advantage three minutes from the interval, however, when Todorov powerfully headed a cross from the right beyond Mutch.

A great run down the left from Bobby Linn almost paid dividends early in the second half but the Arbroath man was finally crowded out, while at the other end Mutch blocked a Todorov effort.

The home side spurned a huge opportunity to reduce the leeway in the 55th minute when Omar Kader was tripped in the box by David Robertson but McGurn saved Steven Doris’s spot-kick.

Mutch then made a double save from Todorov and the striker sent a volley into the side-netting.

Arbroath responded with a Linn shot which was deflected over and Kader flashed an effort across the face of the goal before Linn skewed a shot wide.

Arbroath refused to throw in the towel and a couple of minutes from the end Kader appeared to have earned his side a second penalty when he went down. The referee pointed to the spot but, after consulting his assistant, awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. McGurn punched Liam Callaghan’s effort over the bar. Attendance: 421 Arbroath: Mutch, Thomson (Callaghan 61), Dunlop (Gold 46), Hamilton, Phillips, Kader, Whatley, McCord, Linn, Prunty, Doris (Hester 79). Subs not used: Malin, Gomes.

Cowdenbeath: McGurn, Mullen, Sives, McLauchlan (David Robertson 40), G Ross, B Ross (Denton 87), Johnston (Muirhead 78), O’Brien, Miller, Rutherford, Todorov. Subs not used: Leslie, Swan, Sneddon.

Referee: Mike Roncone.