PAUL Scullion's penalty 15 minutes from time gave Cowdenbeath a slender advantage going into the home second leg of the Second Division play-off semi-final.
Paul Watson had given the hosts the lead just before the hour mark but the equaliser ensur
ed it will be all to play for at Central Park on Saturday.
The first half was a tight and tense affair but visiting goalkeeper David Hay almost handed Arbroath a dream start when he was caught in possession by Alan Brazil. However under close attention from the Cowdenbeath defence the striker shot well wide.
Scullion was the visiting side's hero before half-time when he cleared two goal-bound efforts from Paul Lunan off the line.
Brazil also wasted another good chance to ensure the sides went in at the break goalless.
The second half was immediately a more enticing proposition with Arbroath immediately on the attack and they took a deserved lead after 58 minutes.
After striking a free kick poorly off the wall, Watson pounced on the rebound and took one touch before firing a superb half volley past the keeper.
But Cowdenbeath were gifted back into the tie in the 75th minute when Lunan caught Dougie Hill late in the box. Scullion left the keeper with no chance with his fine effort from 12 yards.
Arbroath: Hill, Rennie (McMullen 65), Black, Rattray, Bishop, Tully, Lunan, Reilly (Brian Scott 53), Brazil, Sellars, Watson. Subs not used: McBride, Raeside, Morrison.
Cowdenbeath: Hay, Shields, Adamson, Shanks, Hill (Linton 79), O'Neil, Mark Ramsey, Patrick Scullion, McLaughlin, McQuade (Gates 56), Tomana. Subs not used: McBride, Robertson, Allison.
Ref: C Murray. Att: 638
The full article contains 291 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
