Match Preview: Stenhousemuir v Cowdenbeath

The Blue Brazil come up against old foes Stenhousemuir this weekend at Ochilview - the  scene of last seasons play off final which took a penalty kick to separate the sides.  John Coughlin's team took the honours that day to clinch their place in the 2nd Division but Cowden - who finished 7 points ahead of Stenny - received a late promotion after Livingston's demotion.

It's a familiar fixture after the club's met each other six times last season but a number of new faces have been added to both squads since the last meeting including Craig Winter (pictured) and Gareth Wardlaw for Cowden and Craig O'Reilly and former Central Parker Pat Scullion for Stenhousemuir - although Pat will miss the game due to injury.

Both promoted sides have made encouraging starts to the campaign with Cowden sitting on eight points and Stenhousemuir on ten. League leaders Stirling Albion narrowly ended Cowden's 4 match unbeaten run last weekend but Danny Lennon's men will be looking to get back on track with a victory on Saturday which would see them leapfrog their Ochilview opponents.

"I'm sure it will be another tight game after several close encounters last season", said Danny Lennon.

"John Couglin's teams are always well organised and difficult to break down. They are dangerous on the break and have a presence throughout their team but my team will be very much up for the challenge."

Paul McQuade and Mark Ramsay played for the reserves on Tuesday night and will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up along with teenage striker John Ferguson who netted the winner.

Mark Baxter and John Dempster are likely to be unavailable for another fortnight with shoulder and groin injuries respectively while Kenny Adamson also misses out with a chest infection. Darren McGregor, who has now fully recovered from knee surgery, is still suffering the effects of a virus and will have further tests next week.