PETERHEAD manager Neale Cooper called this very disappointing display from his team, their worst of the season - and few inside Balmoor would disagree with that.
Looking deflated at the post match press meeting, his honest assessment of the game made depressing listening.
A midfield that was non-existent at times, an attack that wasted the few opportunities created and a side that was bullied all over the
pitch by an impressive Blue Brazil.
His comment that very few of the players appeared to hurt after the defeat as much as he did, does not auger well as the team attempt to get into a play-off position.
Having lost to the Fifers at home in the Challenge Cup then suffering a devastating 5-0 thumping at Central Park, Cooper felt, as did the fans, that the players would be up for the fight and out to get revenge. As it turned out, the visitors strolled to a victory that could have been even more convincing.
It was hard to believe that the Cowdenbeath side would have been playing in the Third Division but for the demotion of Livingstone which saw them elevated up to Division Two.
Without a recognisable name in sight, the visitors all but dominated from the kick-off to the final whistle. They should have taken a 13th minute lead but for a wasteful header from Scott McBride.
After 21 minutes a terrific slide rule pass sent Mark Ramsey clear but Paul Jarvie bravely came out to block his shot.
It was no surprise when Cowdenbeath took the lead in the 22nd minute. McBride cut the ball inside from the left of the penalty area and Jon Robertson clipped a low shot in by the post.
Chances from Peterhead were few and far between. Ryan Strachan sent a 10th minute drive off the crossbar then shot narrowly past soon after. When Martin Bavidge headed wide just before the break, a comeback looked a big ask.
Sure enough, McBride should have made use of the space he was given soon after the re-start but shot over.
The inevitable was only delayed and after 55 minutes a Brian Fairbairn free kick from the right wing found the impressive Joe Mbu who smashed the ball into the net from an angle. The central defender looks real quality - physically strong, determined and mobile and somebody that is surely destined to star at a higher level.
A point was beyond the Blue Toon but a consolation goal would have been nice. Nicky Clark had crossed for Bavidge who saw his shot saved before the goal. Clark then let fly from 25 yards in the 70th minute only to see keeper David Hay touch it over for a corner.
Strachan summed up a miserable day nine minutes later when he shot wide from six yards when it looked far easier to score.
A re-arranged trip to Brechin and another home game, this time against basement side Clyde, will hopefully give Peterhead the chance to get themselves back in contention for fourth place. But to do so will require performances way above this limp effort.
