The Blue Brazil kept their promotion dream alive with an excellent derby victory. The home side dominated an entertaining match to come out on top, but they did it the hard way.
Cowdenbeath were thoroughly in control in the first 28 minutes and had gone close on numerous occasions, including efforts from Liam Buchanan and two long-range pile- drivers from Finnish midfield man Markus Paatelainen.
In the 28th minute, however, East Fife broke up the pitch, and as Craig Smart created space for himself in the box he smashed the ball high into the net for a surprise lead.
In the second half the home side exploded back into life with an equaliser from captain Innes Ritchie. A 47th minute free-kick from full-back Kevin McBride was headed back across goal by John Ward for Ritchie to force home from close range.
Cowdenbeath deservedly took the lead through top scorer Ryan McCallum when he slotted the ball past East Fife's Scott Morrison in the 67th minute.
Mark Miller was presented with the perfect opportunity to extend the home side's lead in the 70th minute after Andy Gibson was toppled in the box by Scott Morrison. Unfortunately, the midfielder ballooned his effort embarrassingly over the bar.
Cowdenbeath had, however, secured the points after surviving a scare or two in the 85th minute when substitute Graham Guy fired home a low drive from 20 yards.