Boss Bollan full of praise after Cowden ease to win

An understrength Cowdenbeath side maintained their play-off challenge with a comfortable victory over struggling Stenhousemuir.

Without three key men, this was always going to be a difficult game for Gary Bollan’s side but the players who were available were more than a match for the Warriors.

Cowdenbeath got the boost of a goal in five minutes when Craig Barr headed down to Mikey Herd who scored from close in, but the home defence was caught square 11 minutes later and Connor McBride ran through to beat stand-in home keeper Peter Morrison.

However, Cowdenbeath continued to create the better chances and 13 minutes from the break a fine 18-yard drive by Harvey Swann restored the lead.

After the interval, the Blue Brazil continued to create the better chances but they had to wait until the 83rd minute to tie up the points when Swann crossed to Jordan Allan who headed in the third to increase their lead over Annan in third spot in League Two to five points.

Cowden boss Bollan said: “For me that was an outstanding performance by the lads.

“We created a lot of very good chances and could really have won by more and it was great to see Jordan Allan get a goal, along with a strike from Mikey Herd, for they deserved to hit the target with the input they made.

“It was also excellent to have Fraser Mullen back for the first time in three months and Kyle Miller in the side again after his back problems and overall it was a good team effort.”

Blue Brazil defender Craig Barr said: “That was another very positive home performance from us but a few of our away shows have been well below that and we have to start being more consistent on the road.

“I felt we played very well against Stenny and we were worth the three points, which keeps us up there.”

Stenhousemuir boss Davie Irons felt his team played pretty well but did not defend well enough at key times.

He said: “I thought the scoreline flattered Cowden for we created some good openings but lost goals at key times, which is something that has been costing us results.”