In what has been a season of under par performances from Cowden, Saturday’s narrow cup loss to Lowland League leaders East Kilbride was a low point.
Cowdenbeath just did not string together many telling moves after yet again giving away an early goal to a side that have won 25 games in a row.
On five minutes no home defender picked up Joao Victoria and the former Arbroath striker headed over keeper Dave McGurn from Fabio Capuano’s cross.
There were a few half-chances for Cowden but only Kris Renton, who twice should have scored, looked dangerous.
Home boss Liam Fox was most unhappy with the way his team failed to up their game, especially when EK were reduced to 10 men on the hour when Keiran Gibbons was ordered off for a second yellow.
Fox said: “We talk all the time about defending well as a team and ensuring we do not give away cheap goals but we were slack in the opening five minutes and went behind.
“Yes there was plenty of time to sort it out, but we just did not lift our game like we did against Annan, and especially against 10 men, we were poor.
“Most of our guys have played at a high level in the Scottish game and knew what was required but did not produce it and that is simply not good enough.”
He added: “Too often we got into a really good position and took the wrong option and a chance was lost.
“That is simply not good enough and unless there is an immediate improvement there will have to be major changes.”
East Kilbride boss Martin Lauchlan was proud of the way they tackled their “biggest game of the season”.
He said: “Six of the lads went out there carrying injuries but battled away for the shirt and it was a tremendous result for us.”