League One champions Cove needed to come from behind of their Premier Sports activities Cup opener and withstood a late barrage from a spirited Rovers aspect.
A Mark Reynolds own-goal had put the house aspect in entrance however a well-taken end from Robbie Leitch levelled the scores on the break.
Cove Rangers boss Jim McIntyre felt his aspect had been lucky to flee Coatbridge with three factors after a 2-1 win over Albion Rovers.
Connor Scully put Cove forward within the second half however solely a sensible cease from Kyle Gourlay and the woodwork prevented the sport going to penalties.
It was McIntyre’s first aggressive recreation answerable for Cove and he felt there was room for enchancment from his aspect.
“I assumed we obtained slack after scoring a superb second purpose,” mentioned McIntyre. “We wanted to handle the sport higher and we didn’t. We made foolish selections.
“However it’s important to give Albion Rovers credit score. They put us beneath a variety of strain and threw a variety of excessive balls ahead. They examined us and we had been fortunate it didn’t find yourself going to penalties.
“We’ll play higher this 12 months and possibly lose the sport, so you are taking it when it goes your manner.”
Cove fell behind early on when Charlie Reilly’s nook was become his personal web by Reynolds, beneath strain from Michael Paton.
Scully and Leighton McIntosh each got here near discovering the online themselves, with Jack Leighfield and Blair Malcolm respectively stopping them from hitting the goal.
The leveller got here three minutes earlier than the break when Fraser Fyvie’s nook was cleared to Leitch and he thrashed the ball again previous Leighfield.
They had been practically made to pay for failing to kill the sport off although. Amaury Testa poked the ball simply large of the put up when one-on-one with Gourlay earlier than the Cove goalkeeper made an outstanding cease to disclaim Barry Duncan.
Callum Wilson then crashed a volley off the bar as Rovers pushed for a late equaliser.
“They had been two good strikes. Leitchy’s is simply an instinctive strike and he scores objectives each day of the week like that in coaching.
“The second purpose was a wonderful transfer and a terrific end. You’re hoping at that stage to see the sport out however credit score to Albion Rovers, they performed properly.”
