Cowdenbeath 0, Annan Athletic 1,

Ladbrokes League 2

Attendance-258.

WHILE there were things about this latest home defeat for Cowdenbeath which were more promising than of recent performances, the fact was they seldom looked like scoring a goal.

The Blue Brazil were lively enough for most of the 90 minutes but simply did not work the Annan ‘keeper enough.

The defence was sound for the most part, but a little bit of slackness was punished for the Annan goal.

Cowdenbeath saw plenty of possession but really the strike force of Kris Renton and Dale Carrick did not get any clear cut chances to convert.

The midfield saw Kyle Miller team up with Liam Henderson in the middle and Lewis Moore and Robbie Buchanan wide but the tight marking of Annan just did not give them the space to cause too many problems for the visitors.

Annan ‘keeper Blair Currie simply did not have enough difficult efforts to deal with.

Cowden had a chance in five minutes when Renton had a clear sight of Currie but sliced his shot wide.

Annan had a spell of pressure and recalled Jamie Sneddon had to twice advance from his line to grab dangerous crosses but in 15 minutes a Fraser Mullen corner was met by Renton and his fierce 12 yarder hit Steven Swinglehurst and flew just over.

In 25 minutes Annan threatened with Peter Weatherson looking ready to get on the end of Mark Wright’s pass but the alert Shaun Rutherford cleared under pressure.

In 29 minutes Cowden forced two corners in as many minutes and Moore was unlucky to see his low drive blocked by Gavin Skelton.

Cowden forced a battery of corners and six minutes from the break Renton had a clear chance 10 yards out but he dragged his finish wide.

Cowden started the second period strongly and Carrick fired over in 52 minutes but a minute later the Blues were a goal down.

A slack clearance bounced kindly for Darren RAMSAY and the midfielder’s 25 yard right foot volley flew wide of the stranded Sneddon.

Cowden had a chance shortly after when Carrick set up Buchanan but from only 12 yards out he dragged his shot wide, then Mullen’s 22 yard free-kick was held by Currie.

As Cowdenbeath tried to come back into the picture Buchanan warmed the ‘keeper’s hands with a low 16 yarder then Renton’s back header landed on the roof of the net but at the other end Max Wright tested Sneddon with a snap shot.

Annan had a chance to tie the game up in 82 minutes when McLauchlan pulled down Wright but Sneddon dived to save the winger’s penalty kick but it made no difference to the result.

Cowdenbeath: Jamie Sneddon (6); Fraser Mullen (6), Lewis Moore (7) (Matt Rooney 71 (3)); Gerry McLauchlan (6), Scott Rumsby (6), Shaun Rutherford (7); Robbie Buchanan (6), Kyle Miller (6), Dale Carrick (7), Kris Renton (6), Liam Henderson (6) (Brian Ross 81 (2)). Subs not used, Burton O’Brien, Jamie Pyper, Cammy Muirhead, Craig Johnston and Davie McGurn.

Annan Athletic: Currie (7); Lucas (5) (Home 34 (6)), Stewart (6); Krissian (6), Swinglehurst (7), Skelton (7); Wright (6), Ramsey (8), Weatherson (7), McKenna (6) (Smith 87 (2)), Flanagan (6) (Omar 79 (3)). Subs not used, Osadolor, Dachnowicz, Fry and Mitchell.

Referee-Craig Napier (6).