Posted December 24, 2014

Goals in each half saw Robbie Neilson's return to Central Park a successful one as his side went 12 points clear at the top of the Championship.

 

Its was a depleted Cowden XI which started the game before Central Park's second biggest crowd of the season 3718 with Jon Robertson, Calum Gallagher and Kudus Oyenuga missing from the squad along with Declan Hughes who returned to St Mirren after the weekend win at Queen of the South.

 

Before the match both sets of supporters along with teams and officials observed a minutes silence in memory of those who had lost their lives in Monday's tragic accident in Glasgow city centre.

 

Once the action got going the league leaders opened the scoring with 25 minutes gone when James Keatings fired home a first time shot and soon after the former Hamilton front man saw a 25 yard free kick come off the base of the Cowden post.

 

After the break we were unlucky not to grab an equaliser when Sean Higgins saw a shot well saved by Neil Alexander after being put through on goal by Marshall.

 

But it on the hour the visitors doubled their lead when Callum Paterson scored a spectacular goal, heading down a cross from Pallardo, he chested the ball before firing a 20 yard shot past Thomson.

 

Craig Sutherland, who had replaced Liam Callaghan at the interval, had two good chances to reduce the deficit sending an angled shot wide and they seeing a header being well saved by Alexander.

 

As we reach the halfway mark of the season with Saturday's visit from Dumbarton we find ourselves seven points ahead of bottom side Livingston and two ahead of ninth place Alloa as we lock horns with Ian Murray's side.