It took the Blue Brazil only six minutes to edge towards a Ramsdens Cup semi-final and it was two former Shire players who contributed to the opener.
Firstly Jamie Stevenson fired in a corner from the left which player-manager Colin Cameron volleyed towards the goal from the edge of the box.
The effort took a nick off ex-Firs Parker Marc McKenzie six yards out and ended in the net.
Beath went on to retain ascendency in terms of possession but, apart from a McKenzie effort which was chalked off for offside, they failed to cause the Shire rearguard many problems.
It was hardly a surprise when the Shire levelled in the 24th minute.
It was clearly the result of a training ground routine when Michael Herd played in a corner to the near post which David Geenhill flicked on.
On-loan St Mirren defender Sean Kelly powered in to ram the ball into the net from close range.
The home side proceeded to take control and Cowden were fortunate not to go behind when skipper Kevin Turner first rattled the upright with Thomas Flynn beaten and then chipped weakly into Flynn’s arms with only the goalkeeper to beat. That was to prove costly.
Somewhat against the run of play, Kenny Adamson fired the visitors back in front six minutes from the break when he turned a McKenzie cross past the helpless Hay.
The second period was dreadful and apart from a wonder save by Flynn to prevent Scott Maxwell levelling in the 80th minute, there was little to enthuse the fans.
Nevertheless, it was job done for the Fifers and that was pretty much all Cameron had in the way of praise for the performance.
He said: ”We are in the semis I suppose. We made it hard for ourselves, though. We did the right thing and got ourselves one-up and then for whatever reason the lads seemed to feel the tie was won and they didn’t need to work hard.”
Asked who he wanted in the semi-final, Cameron said: ”The club will obviously fancy Rangers financially, but I’d rather wait and get them in the final. That’s not to say that we don’t have a chance if we do draw them, but it will be a lot more difficult.”