Arbroath 0 Cowdenbeath 3

Last updated : 24 September 2005 By Footymad Previewer

Cowdenbeath cruised to victory over a dispirited Arbroath side at windswept Gayfield Park with goals from Liam Buchanan, Innes Ritchie and Ryan McCallum.

The home side looked lively in the opening stages with Jay Stein's 35-yard free-kick being tipped over the bar by David Hay before Pat Clarke missed a great chance when given a free header inside the six-yard box.

The visitors took the lead, however, after 29 minutes when Buchanan rifled home from the edge of the box after Jamie Bishop failed to clear his lines.

Ritchie added a second 11 minutes later when he headed home a corner from six yards.

Arbroath's chances evaporated 60 seconds later when teenager Nicky Smith, making his home debut, was shown a red card for a heavy challenge on Mark Baxter.

Arbroath battled hard in the second half, but the Blue Brazil went further ahead in the 79th minute when McCallum volleyed home a cross from substitute Robert Downs.

Cowdenbeath manager Mixu Paatelainen was delighted with the result, but isn't getting carried away:

He said: "That's two wins in a row, nothing more. There's still a long way to go and we've more hard work to do."

Arbroath manager Harry Cairney admits his side was poor: "There were no plus points at all for us today," he said.