A hat trick from Brian Graham ended Cowden’s hopes of lifting the Fife Cup for the first time since 1996 at Starks Park.

Colin Cameron rotated his squad and made six changes from the side which had drawn at Arbroath with Youssef Bejaoui, David Cowan, Craig Winter, Joe Mbu, Jordan Morton and Lewis Milne all in the starting line up.

The game was barely a minute old when Graham opened the scoring for the home side. Strike partner Reynolds squared the ball to the big striker who side footed the ball into the Cowden net from six yards.

A few minutes later it appeared as if the Rovers had been awarded a penalty but after a consultation with his stand side assistant referee McGeachie awarded after deciding the ball had struck Winter's chest and not his arm.

The Kirkcaldy side, featuring most of their side which had played at Livingston the previous Saturday, dominated the early play and Graham saw a 25 yard effort whistle just past the post.

Cowden’s first real threat on goal came after 15 minutes but Linton’s effort was palmed away by keeper McGurn.

Five minutes later however the Rovers doubled their advantage when Graham riffled a 25 yard shot high into the top corner of the visiting net.

On 25 minutes Cowden were given a lifeline to get back into the game when Milne was brought down in the box by McGurn but Robertson sent the resultant spot kick wide of the target.

As the firs half drew to a close Graham was eager to complete his hat trick and had a few good chances with the best bringing out a fine fingertip save from Bejaoui.

Colin Cameron shuffled his side at the interval bring on Coult and McKenzie at the expense of Adamson and Winter.

The Rovers however wrapped the game up as a contest seven minutes into the second half when Graham finally got his hat trick when he headed home a Davidson cross from six yards.

The home side made a succession of substitutions and one of the replacements former Cowden man McBride almost added to the scoring late on with a 25 yard free kick which tipped around the post by Bejaoui.