From the Courier @ Cowdenbeath's dramatic re-entry to the second division crashed in controversial circumstances as Arbroath grabbed a 2-1 win at Central Park—but only after the Fifers had been reduced to nine men.

But the bizarre nature of the match leave the victors not knowing for certain whether they really have opened their account with three points or whether their efforts will all be for nothing.

If Livingston succeed on Thursday with their appeal against relegation to the third division, the Lichties' win will be rendered meaningless with Cowdenbeath back in division three and the Gayfield men having to start all over again.

But Cowden boss Danny Lennon, for one, does not believe that is going to happen.

After saluting his side for a "terrific" performance—holding their own with 10 men and only crumbling after they were reduced to nine in the closing stages—he said he was convinced the Fifers would have their second division status confirmed.

He declared, "My personal view is that the League made a statement by allowing these fixtures to go ahead and that we will remain in division two this season."

Arbroath boss John McGlashan made it clear that the Fifers would be a welcome addition to the third tier of Scottish football.

"Make no mistake, Cowdenbeath would be a plus to the second division as they have some good young players and play good football," he said.

"They were really well organised and they made life very difficult for us. If the match was not a classic it was perhaps because both sides were affected by the league situation.

"It has been a bit of a mental issue for the players with us not knowing who we would be playing until very late in the week."

Cowden were given a mountain to climb when midfielder Kenny Adamson was red carded after only 11 minutes—a decision which stunned Lennon and the home fans. He was given a straight red card by referee Colin Brown for what was his first offence—a foul on Paul Lunan. But once Dene Droudge picked up a second booking to also get his marching orders in the 71st minute the writing was on the wall for the Fifers and it was no surprise when they were finally overwhelmed in the last 10 minutes when Arbroath hit them with a double scoring burst.

Lennon said, "I have watched it again on video and the most Kenny should have got was a yellow card for what was his first challenge. It was a harsh decision and then, when Dene was also sent off, the boys were on their knees.

"Even with 10 men I felt we would have managed at least a draw.

"We did brilliantly after losing Kenny so early in the game, defending well and carving out one or two decent openings, but they took full advantage after we went down to nine."

Arbroath notched the crucial opening goal in the 80th minute when Barry Sellars bundled the ball home from a fine Steven Rennie cross.

And it was all over for the home side four minutes later when substitute Bryan Scott made it 2-0 after a Lunan shot had been parried by David Hay. Cowdenbeath grabbed a consolation goal in the final minute with a Scott McBride penalty after his free kick had been handled in the box by Scott.

Cowden now begin their preparations for this weekend still having to consider three options—a second division match away at Brechin or, in the event of a change in Livingston's situation, a home third division game against Montrose or, indeed, no match at all if the chaotic circumstances result in fixtures being postponed.


From the P & J

Arbroath's points - but can they keep them?

Published: 10/08/2009

IF LIVINGSTON succeed on Thursday with their appeal against relegation to the Third Division, Arbroath's win at Central Park against a Blue Brazil side that finished with nine men will be rendered meaningless.

Cowdenbeath will return to Division 3 and the Lichties will have to to start all over again.

The Fifers had Kenny Adamson red carded in the 11th minute and only succumbed in the last 10 minutes when they were reduced to nine men when Dene Droudge picked up a second yellow.

Arbroath manager John McGlashan said: "Cowdenbeath would be a plus to the Second Division,"

Blue Brazil manager Danny Lennon believes that the result will stand and that Cowdenbeath will be playing their football in Division 2 for the rest of this campaign.

He said: "I feel the league made a statement in allowing these fixtures to go ahead and that we will remain in Division 2 this season."

Lennon and the home supporters were stunned when Adamson was given his marching orders for his first offence - a foul on Paul Lunan.

His side refused to buckle and it was only when Dene Droudge picked up a second booking to also get his marching orders in the 71st minute that the game turned firmly in Arbroath's favour.

Arbroath finished off their weakened opponents with a scoring burst in a four-minute spell as the match drew to a close.

Barry Sellars bundled the ball home from a fine Steven Rennie cross in the 80th minute and they wrapped up the points four minutes later when substitute Bryan Scott made it 2-0 after a Lunan shot had been parried by Hay.

Cowdenbeath grabbed a consolation goal in the final minute with a Scott McBride penalty after his free kick had been handled by Scott