COWDENBEATH face two tough Lowland League assignments this week as they bid to bounce back from their disappointing South Challenge Cup defeat on Friday night.

The Blue Brazil exited the competition with a 3-0 loss against West of Scotland Football League, Premier Division outfit St Cadoc's, and return to league action this evening (Wednesday).

They travel to K-Park to take on second top East Kilbride and then, on Saturday, Bo'ness United, who make the trip to Central Park.

However, none of Cowden's injured stars are set to return for these matches, but manager, Dougie Hill, is hopeful that his young squad can pick up positive results in their upcoming fixtures.

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, he commented: "There was not a lot in the game (against St Cadoc's), but like so many of our matches this season we lost avoidable goals at key times.

"We had started positively and had a good chance, but couldn’t finish it, and then a minute or two later we lost a goal which could have been better defended. After that, we again were creating chances, but we couldn’t get the goal some good lead-up play maybe deserved, and then shortly before the interval lost a second.

"To lose the game 3-0 was very disappointing, because we had a number of good chances, but when we take on East Kilbride and Bo'ness we have to defend as a team much better and ensure we take our chances.

"Situations developed at all of St Cadoc’s goals which could have been prevented, and it is important that these sort of things are stopped in these two games coming up this week."

Hill continued: "St Cadoc’s are a decent side, with a sizeable budget, and they played the sort of football we can expect from both East Kilbride and Bo'ness.

"On Friday we made a few errors at both ends at key times, and it proved costly, so in these matches coming up we have to be sharper and if we are we can pose both the sides problems."

One bright aspect of the Challenge Cup-tie was that right back, Greg MacPherson, came through the game unscathed and played well, and will be in the side at K-Park.

However, the Blues will still be without skipper Robbie McNab, midfielder Aiden McLaughlin, defender Ethan Kerr and link-man Danny Swanson for two or three weeks.

"Hopefully Aiden, Ethan and Danny will be back soon, but Robbie needs an operation to his wrist and maybe several weeks away from action,” added Hill.