Controversial clincher, but no Cowden excuses

Cowden boss Liam Fox wasn’t looking for excuses in his team’s latest defeat at high-flying Elgin.

A controversial goal sealed the Fifers’ fate at Borough Briggs, with sub Brian Ross’s late strike a mere consolation.

Elgin deserved their win, though how their third goal was allowed to stand after what appeared to be a clear foul on Cowdenbeath’s Chris Turner in the build-up only referee Steven Reid will know.

Fox said: “The game was at 2-0 and we had a spell so that third goal was the one that kind of saw them home.

“It changed the game and I thought it was a foul, and I think the majority of folk thought it was a foul. But we had already given ourselves too much to do.

“We’ve got four or five carrying knocks and niggles, which never helps but that’s no excuse.

“We need to believe that results will start going for us soon if we aim to improve, put the work in on the training ground and try to cut out the mistakes we are making.”

Cowden almost scored with their first attack as a Fraser Mullen corner was headed wide by Turner on three minutes.

A piece of poor defending by the Fifers gifted their hosts the opener on 26 minutes.

No-one picked up midfielder Brian Cameron’s run from deep and he fired past David McGurn.

A second goal arrived on 33 minutes as City left back Archie Macphee was allowed to run unchallenged into the box and crack a low effort into the net.

Elgin kept pressing and sealed the points when the referee waved away claims when Turner was barged down near the halfway line and Reid squared for Sutherland to stroke home.

The away side did net a consolation three minutes from time, Ross turning and volleying past Marc Waters from 10 yards.