After their enforced winter break the youngsters returned to action on the Beath High School synthetic surface on Sunday afternoon recording a narrow win over their Ayr counterparts.

In an even contest Cowden came close to breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes when a low shot from Miller went narrowly past the post while minutes later Moore of the visitors was denied by keeper Wilson.

Midway through the first half O’Brien, playing as an ‘over age’ player, saw a shot saved by keeper Jones.

As the first half closed there was a flurry of action as both sides looked to break the deadlock.

Miller saw a shot saved by Jones after being set up by Docherty while at the other end both McClelland and Moore were denied by Wilson with the latter’s effort seeing the Cowden custodian pulling off a fine one handed save at the expense of a corner.

As the half wound down Moore was once again denied by the Cowden keeper who had to got off injured at half time due to injury.

The second half saw Bennett come on as a substitute in place of the injured Wilson, although it was Callam McNeill who took over in goal.

After a busy opening period it was a slow start to the second period but Miller shot just over on the hour mark.

A minute later O’Brien with the strong wind at his back tried his luck from 40 yards but his shot was tipped over the bar by Jones and from the resultant corner Bennnett headed just wide of the target.

The deadlock was however finally broken after 67 minutes when Simon Docherty lobbed an angled shot over the keeper from eight yards.

As the game wound down Moore sent in a 20 yard shot which was held by stand in keeper McNeill and two minutes later the Ayr youngster had the ball in the Cowden net but his effort was ruled out for offside and at the other end Callaghan twice came close to increasing our lead.