Cowdenbeath manager Billy Brown rued his side’s lack of options up front as his side crashed to Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.
Nathan Blockley’s strike when he converted a rebound after Joe McGovern had stopped a Mark McGuigan shot was all that split the teams.
The Warriors moved third as a result of the win while the Blue Brazil remain second bottom, one point ahead of Edinburgh City.
Brown said: “That’s three-one nil defeats we’ve had this season and one wee lapse at the back cost us today.
“Getting someone to score goals isn’t easy. I can’t get Lukaku or anyone like that.
“I’m so disappointed as the team gave everything and tried everything, We tried every formation to get a goal.
“I don’t for a minute that Stenhousemur were any better than us. It’s hard to take but I certainly don’t think that we deserved to lose the game.”
The home side had the better of the first period and a Jamie Longworth effort was cleared off the line but there were few clear-cut chances from either side.
Any threat from the Fife visitors came through set piece deliveries from Harvey Swann.
Cowdenbeath enjoyed their best spell of the game after the break and should have equalised when Robbie Buchanan set up Kyle Miller who blasted wide.
Cameron Muirhead then brought out a fine save from Chris Smith while Buchanan curled another effort just wide.
Former Arbroath midfielder Eddie Ferns had the chance to make it 2-0 but missed the target with only the keeper to beat.
Cowden’s Fraser Mullen blasted a free-kick over the bar with the final touch of the game.