Match Report - By Steven Mew

A goal in each half saw City earn a welcome 3 points against Cowdenbeath at Central Park yesterday evening, recording consecutive clean sheets in the process.

Player/Manager Michael Paton was looking for a similar display to the one against the same opponents a week ago, but this time with a cutting edge – and that is precisely what he got from his players. It certainly wasn’t one for the purists, with both sides struggling to play on a bobbly surface.

There were three changes to the side from last week with Gerry McLauchlan and Rory Currie returning from injury, whilst Abdul Osman also slotted back into the starting 11 having served a one match suspension.

It was the home side who threatened first through Robbie Buchanan – the former City loanee fired straight at Hutton from the edge of the box.

However it was City who got their noses in front with 9 minutes on the clock. After some poor defending by the home side on the edge of their own penalty area, CHRIS MCKEE took full advantage as he won possession before firing low beyond Hogarth from 20 yards for his first professional goal.

Both sides struggled to create any real openings, with Rory Currie next to threaten for City on 26 minutes. He received a pass from McKee before trying his luck from range, but saw his shot sail well over the bar.

Shortly after the half hour mark home skipper Craig Barr, a constant thorn in the flesh inside the box at set-pieces, headed straight at Hutton from a corner. Shortly after, a dinked cross from Bobby Barr on the left was met with a glancing header from Currie, but he could only guide straight into the arms of Hogarth.

City made one change at the break with Michael Paton, walking a tightrope having been booked, coming off to be replaced by Kieran Inglis.

An inability to hold onto slender leads has cost City dear this season, and importantly they gave themselves some breathing space as they doubled the advantage through BOBBY BARR ten minutes into the second period.

Kieran Inglis won possession in midfield before threading a ball through to Currie who played a clever reverse pass into the path of Barr. The winger made no mistake, firing a shot low into the far corner on his weaker right foot.

The hosts reacted and had the ball in the net just a few minutes later when Craig Barr headed home from a corner, however the goal was ruled out for what appeared to be a foul on Gerry McLauchlan in the penalty area.

Midway through the second half, David Hutton pulled off a terrific point blank save to tip over a header from Robbie Buchanan.

Cowdenbeath continued to push forward in search of a route back into the game but they found David Hutton in fine form. The City stopper would again show his quality seven minutes from time to claw away a header from substitute Zander Miller and the same player would be denied again in stoppage time, with a powerful volley parried away.

City held on for a morale boosting victory, recording consecutive shutouts for the first time since February last year.

The hectic schedule continues with City back in action tomorrow evening as we welcome Annan Athletic to Glebe Park.