Cowdenbeath boss Colin Nish lamented a lack of attacking quality after his side were consigned to the cut-throat relegation play-offs.
The Blue Brazil will head to Hampden on Wednesday for the first leg of their League 1 semi-final against Queens Park after Mark McGuigan’s solitary strike early in the second half dashed their hopes of automatic survival.
But Nish insisted the damage was done long before Saturday’s reverse at Stair Park.
Cowdenbeath boss Colin Nish lamented a lack of attacking quality after his side were consigned to the cut-throat relegation play-offs.
The Blue Brazil will head to Hampden on Wednesday for the first leg of their League One semi-final against Queens Park after Mark McGuigan’s solitary strike early in the second half dashed their hopes of automatic survival.
But Nish insisted the damage was done long before Saturday’s reverse at Stair Park.
He said: “We did everything we could today and I didn’t think there was much between the teams except for the goal.
“We just needed more quality going forward. We’re not in this position because of one defeat – it’s been a cumulative thing: from not setting up properly at the start of the season, then losing two of our best players midway through.”
The Blue Brazil had looked lively in an end-to-end first half. Greig Spence and Declan McDaid combined well in attack, but failed to convert opportunities into clear-cut chances on goal.
At the other end, goalkeeper Grant Adam was in fine form, making excellent saves to deny Craig Malcolm, Paul Cairney and Andy Stirling who all threatened the visitors’ goal.
Stranraer started the second half positively and took the lead after Adam could only parry a Willie Gibson shot into the path of McGuigan, who made no mistake from eight yards.
Nish now faces a tough task to prepare the side to face the Spiders, who secured fourth place in League Two on goal difference despite defeat on the final day.
He added: “It’s tough when you don’t know who you’ll be facing, but I had all the sides we might meet watched.
“We’ll look at those reports on Monday, train on Tuesday and really go for it on Wednesday night.
“I’m hugely disappointed it has come to this, but you’ve got to get on with it.
“There are positives to take from the Stranraer game – we did well defensively and going forward we got into some dangerous areas.
“We just lacked quality when it mattered.”
In contrast, Stranraer boss Brian Reid was delighted to secure the final promotion play-off spot.
He said: “I’m happy that’s over – it was a stressful one for both parties.
“We missed a few chances there and they like to put me through the ringer, my hair is getting greyer by the day.
“I thanked the players in there because it’s been a great comeback after we found ourselves in the bottom two earlier this season.”
