COWDENBEATH boss Billy Brown praised his young battlers for securing a point from their League 2 opener at Elgin.
Injuries forced Brown to hand debuts to Hibs loan midfielder Ben Stirling, signed just the night before, and trialist Ally Smith, who was recently released by the Easter Road club.
Both showed up well in a determined display by the Central Park side, much to the manager’s delight.
“It’s very difficult to come up here with a bunch of young lads just playing together for the first time so I’ve got to say I’m really pleased,” he said.
“It must be one of the youngest teams Cowdenbeath has ever fielded.
“We got the lad Stirling only yesterday and Ally Smith is one of the trialists who I’ve been having a look at. He worked hard and we are talking to him so we will see how it goes.”
Brown saw Cowden take the game to their hosts early on, forcing corner after corner and eventually gaining their reward on 11 minutes.
One of Harvey Swann’s several right-sided kicks landed on the head of centre-back David Syme at the back post and he powered a header into the Elgin net.
Home keeper Marc Waters then made fine stops from Cameron Muirhead and Robbie Buchanan in quick succession just after the break.
However, the Fifers were stunned when, completely against the run of play, Elgin levelled on 26 minutes.
Full-back Matthew Cooper took the ball forward a unleashed a 25-yard strike which flew high past Joe McGovern into the net.
That strike brought the home side to life and they ended the first half on top, proceeding to dominate after the interval.
McGovern was not to be beaten again, however, as he made some fine stops to frustrate the north side.
A brilliant point-blank save denied namesake Jon-Paul McGovern – the Elgin captain – and the Cowden number one also parried superbly from Chris Dodd and Thomas Reilly.
Jordan Allan, Brian Cameron and Cammy Eadie all missed further opportunities for the home side while Cowden’s best chance saw Muirhead drag an effort wide of goal.
Brown added: “In the first 25 minutes we were excellent and it took a great save from their goalkeeper to stop us going a couple of goals up.
“We had to defend well in the second half. |But to come up here, play well and come away with a point in our first away game of the season, I’m pleased with that.”
