Cowdenbeath do well at the end and start of decades. Promotion in 1939, 1970, 2001 and 2009 while in 1981 the Fifers just missed out on the last day due to letting in a late goal and missing a penalty. Now the 'Beath have arrived in the Div 2 play-off zone after a win at Gayfield on Saturday.

Cowdenbeath have certainly started to grasp the nettle after being promoted at the expense of Livingston's financial problems in August which saw the West Lothian side forced down to Division Three as punishment.

A first half goal from Scott Linton proved to be the match winner at Gayfield but Cowden, last term's beaten finalists in the Div 2 play-off, had to dig deep to survive the loss of first choice goalie David Hay with a head injury and a late aerial bombardment from Arbroath to secure all three points.

The Blue Brazil looked sharp in the early stages and took the lead after 17 minutes when Scott Linton met a Brian Fairbairn cross at the back post to bullet a header into the top left hand corner of the net.

The remainder of the 1st half was fairly even but Arbroath began to dominate play after the break as their direct and physical style posed Cowden some problems. However a magnificent showing from the Cowden rearguard - the Blue Brazil have kept clean sheets in five of the last six games - snuffed out any danger with Arbroath's only real effort on target dealt with well by sub keeper Cameron McKay.

This win within spitting distance of the North Sea sets up the Div 2 Match Of The Day next Saturday afternoon when 3rd placed 'Beath host 2nd placed Brechin City. A win for Cowden will maybe allow their fans to dream of promotion to the First Division for the first time since the early 90's and for the very first time since the inception of four divisions in Scotland's top flight. There's a long way to go of course but Danny Lennon's side are starting to believe they can be as good in Div 2 as they were in 3 last season up to the infamous play-off final which saw them lose on penalties to Stenhousemuir after two scoreless draws.

Match Of The Day in Division 2 Cowdenbeath v Brechin City, next Saturday 3pm. Words you won't find in the same sentence very often.

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