Scott Taggart had put Sons ahead in the first half but when Scott Agnew had his penalty saved in the second half by Robbie Thompson the home side lost composure and subsequently two goals in three minutes when Darren Brownlie and then Kudus Oyenuga wrapped up the points.

Ian Murray made one change to the team which secured an unlikely point away to Falkirk in Sons last outing. Garry Fleming returned to the starting line-up following his return from suspension, taking the place of Darren Petrie who might’ve felt hard done by after scoring on his Sons debut against The Bairns.

The Blue Brazil arrived at the Rock on the back of two 5-0 defeats to Hibs and Queen of the South. Jimmy Nicholl rang the changes for Saturday’s tie with Nat Wedderburn, Jordon Halsman, Lewis Milne and Robbie Buchanan dropping out the side. They were replaced by Lewis Toshney, Chris Kane, Darren Brownlie and Kenny Adamson. Colin Nish also started against his old club.

After a delay of five minutes due to a problem the assistant referee found with one of the nets, which required the use of a step ladder to fix, the game got underway.

Dumbarton started well, keeping good possession and pressing Cowdenbeath high up the pitch. Sons had their first sight of goal when a Scott Linton cross was flicked on by Archie Campbell, Fleming rose to meet it well but the offside flag was up.

After some neat play from Mark Gilhaney and Archie Campbell, Mitch Megginson had a strike from the right side of the box but it was blocked.

Dumbarton had lined up with a back four and a midfield diamond. Scott Agnew sat just in front of the defence. Megginson took up a left midfield position and Gilhaney the right. While Dylan Easton took up a spot behind the front two of Campbell and Fleming but the playmaker was given license to roam around the pitch.

After 13 minutes The Blue Brazil had their first sight of goal. Kudus Oyenuga got to the by-line past Andy Graham, his cut back was intercepted by a Sons defender and as the ball pin-balled around the box Sons were eventually able to get it clear.

On the 20 minute mark Sons went close when Agnew collected the ball 30 yards from goal, he got the ball onto his favoured left foot and struck a sweet effort just wide of the goal.

Moments later and Cowden should’ve been in front when a long ball up to Nish was won by the big striker — the first time he had beaten Stuart Findlay to the ball in the game — his knock down had Oyenuga coming into it but he scuffed his effort wide of the Sons goal.

As the half wore on Cowden were improving. Oyenuga again got in down the left to fire a ball across which Danny Rogers stuck a leg out to block. The ball stopped on the six yard line for what seemed like an eternity, with bodies all around the crowd waited to see who would get a decisive touch to the ball. It was Rogers who got there ahead of Nish.

Sons reacted to the Cowden pressure in the best manner possible. In the 35th minute a trademark Scott Linton throw from the right was launched into the box, the ball was headed only as far as Scott Taggart who fired the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards. It was the defender’s second goal in as many games to make it 1-0 at the break.

Minutes into the second half and Easton had the chance to double Sons advantage. Campbell found the on loan St Johnstone man free in the box, but his shot from right of centre was straight at Robbie Thompson in the Cowden goal.

On the hour mark Sons had the chance to all but wrap up the three points from the penalty spot. A terrific run down the left from Linton opened up space for Fleming. Linton found him and as the striker took a touch in the box he went down under a challenge from Lewis Toshney and referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot.

Scott Agnew stepped up, he struck it well but Thompson guessed right and made an excellent stop down to his left, turning the ball behind.

That set back seemed to knock Dumbarton for the next five minutes as the away side threatened from set pieces, putting pressure on Rogers’ goal.

The pressure would tell as Cowden soon drew level. In the 70th minute a ball to the back post by Nish from the left wing was headed back and Darren Brownlie smashed home from the right hand side of the box.

Dumbarton had not woken up from the daze they found themselves in after Agnew’s penalty was saved and Cowdenbeath were soon ahead.

A throw in from the left was not dealt with by Sons and the ball looped to Oyenuga who struck it on the volley into the top corner.

Dumbarton were now up against it having conceded two goals in three minutes, a game they had well under control was now getting away from them.

Danny Rogers then made a fantastic save to keep Sons in the tie. Nish and Oyenuga had shots blocked before Herron stepped up and fired his strike towards goal but Rogers made a fantastic reaction stop to divert the ball over.

With 10 minutes to go Andy Graham made a good connection with a Linton throw but his header looped over the crossbar.

With time running out Dumbarton had a few set piece chances, Danny Rogers went up for their last corner but the search for an equaliser came to nothing and they fell to another disappointing home defeat.