Linlithgow Rose 3 Cowdenbeath 1

COWDENBEATH endured a tough afternoon at Linlithgow Rose as they fell to a third defeat of the Lowland League season.

The Blue Brazil travelled to Prestonfield having picked up seven points from as many matches, but failed to add to their tally as the hosts ran out comfortable winners.

Dougie Hill's men suffered a blow before kick-off when on-loan Dunfermline Athletic forward, Jake Sutherland, who had been suffering from illness and was initially listed on the bench, had to withdraw.

Goalkeeper, Ruaridh Lynch, was ruled out after suffering a head knock whilst playing in a midweek match for Dundee reserves, whilst a trialist, who had featured in the Cowden starting line-up earlier in the month, returned to the side.

Linlithgow looked the more likely of the two teams straight from the kick-off and they eventually took the lead with just six minutes gone, when a corner from Dylan Paterson was cleared only as far as Jason Comerford, and the one-time Cowden trialist slotted home from close range.

Rose doubled their advantage midway through the first half when a cross from the right bounced off the post and fell into the path of Laurie Devine, who tapped the ball home from a yard out.

The Blue Brazil’s only chance of the first half came eight minutes from the break when Paul McLean unleashed a 35-yard shot which came off the underside of the bar, with Aaron Dunsmore sending the rebound wide.

Ten minutes into the second half, however, the hosts sealed the three points when Devine weaved his way past both McLean and Josh Blair to slot home his second goal of the afternoon, despite efforts from McLean to clear on the line.

Cowden did manage to pull a goal back with six minutes remaining when sub Daryl Healy got on the end of a Jamie Docherty free-kick for his first goal of the campaign and, in stoppage time, Olly Whyte saw a shot saved by home keeper Cammy Binnie.

It was a disappointing outcome for the Blues, with the result leaving them in the lower reaches of the table.

Cowdenbeath: Blair; Dunsmore (Jordan 77), Newman, McLean, Denham, McNab (Hill 80), Whyte, Burke (Kerr 57), Dochery, Trialist, Walker (Healy 57).

Subs not used: Guiney, Trialist.

Linlithgow Rose: Binnie; Thomson, Skinner, Paterson (McKenzie 75), McLean, Commerford, Sneddon (Ogilvie 57), Rae, Devine (Simpson 75), Allan (Henderson 75), Maguire (McMartin 57).

Subs not used: Wallace and Thom.

Referee: Chris Hobbs.

Attendance: 498.