We ultimately paid the penalty bowing out of the Scottish Communities League Cup at the first hurdle.

Over the piece it was a disappointing result and we now find ourselves out of both the Ramsden's Challenge Cup and League Cup at the first round stages.

Stenny got the best of starts with a goal in only four minutes. Experienced winger Murray created the danger with a hanging cross from the left which deceived Bejaoui and Stewart Kean wasted no time in heading into the net from virtually on the goal line.

The visitors enjoyed a good period in the opening 20 minutes with Paton and Murray threatening to increase the lead.

Robertson fired a 22 yard free-kick just wide in reply and in 28 minutes the Blue Brazil were level.

Mark Ramsay got space in the centre of the Stenhousemuir penalty box and held off McMillan's challenge before firing low past the keeper.

Murray continued to be a threat for Stenny and his cross in 35 minutes set up Paton whose shot was held by the Cowden keeper.

However, five minutes from the break Cowdenbeath went ahead. Adamson played his part in the build-up and Mark Ramsay steadied himself after Coult's assist, before shooting into the net from ten yards range.

Stenny resumed with McCluskey in goal for the injured Brown and it was the visitors who levelled in 53 minutes. Eric Paton was given much too much space in front of Bejaoui and he cleverly clipped the ball over the Cowden last line.

But the Blues responded positively and five minutes later Cameron's free-kick was met by Mbu whose header brought out a fine save from the sub keeper.

In 70 minutes, after good work by Cameron and Ramsay, Coult was in acres of space in the Stenny box but instead of shooting he tried to find Stewart and the chance was lost.

Seven minutes later Adamson's cross was met by substitute Marc McKenzie who beat his marker and was only denied by McCluskey diving at his feet.

In 84 minutes McMillan fired over from a good position for Stenhousemuir but with the last move of the game Linton's header from Brett's cross looked a winner but somehow McCluskey finger-tipped the ball to safety.

It was on to extra-time and Cowden had three good chances to tie things up. In 100 minutes Stewart robbed a defender and headed into the box, drew the keeper and passed to Ramsay who shot wide of an empty net.

Nine minutes later Linton's fierce shot was parried by McCluskey and then with five minutes to go Adamson fired just wide.

Cowden could not score and in the shoot-out Paton opened the scoring for Stenny only for Cameron to see his shot saved and goals by Murray, Rodgers and  Thompson put Stenhousemuir in a strong position despite conversions from Robertson, Ramsay and McKenzie.

Kean saw his shot saved by Bejaoui and it left Stewart the chance to take it to sudden death but he fired wide and Cowden were out.