Cove Rangers will head to Cowdenbeath with the League Two play-off final poised at 0-0, after the clubs’ stalemate at Harlaw Park.
There were several good chances for Highland League champions Cove as the physical Cowdenbeath – epitomised by big no.9 Jordan Sheerin – struggled with their pace. Paul McManus’ lash over the bar from six yards the best chance of the opening period.
After the interval both teams had the opportunities to get themselves in front for the second leg.
It was astonishing Cove didn’t take the lead on 61 minutes. Mitchel Megginson danced past Bryan Gilfillan, leaving him on his backside, before squaring to Masson, whose low effort was somehow sent wide by keeper David McGurn.
Beath, who finished bottom of League Two, couldn’t be accused of being content to hold on to the 0-0 draw.
Kyle Miller saw a 20-yard drive on 69 minutes deflected wide of the left top corner.
However, Connor Scully stung McGurn’s palms with a left-footed free-kick from the edge of the area on 73 minutes.
Ben Reilly came on for Cowdenbeath a minute later, and his first action was to aim a shot close to the right top corner, which went just wide.
Megginson then shot wildly over from another Scully cross when it dropped 12 yards out.
Either side looked like nicking a second leg advantage.
But Cove would have counted themselves so unlucky Scully didn’t score from 25 yards 10 minutes from time. The strike smacked off McGurn’s post, rebounding back off the keeper and out of play.
Neither side could quite find the quality in front of goal to take the lead ahead of the return leg at Central Park next Saturday. Cove will hope it’s their day and they can fulfil their ambition of reaching the Scottish League.