The Celtic Colts booked a place in the third round draw for the Irn Bru Cup after coming from behind to beat Cowdenbeath 2-1 at Central Park thanks to goals from Jack Aitchison and PJ Crossan.
Like Annan in the first round Cowdenbeath provided a shock by opening the scoring in the 30th minute but with their superior fitness and ability Celtic battled back to win.
Nickolay Todorov’s first half strike separated the sides at half time but second half goals from Aitchison and Crossan ensured that the Colts will continue their Irn Bru adventure with some Championship sides coming in for the third round draw.
Following the glamour of starting against Inter Milan on Saturday Jamie McCart and Kristoffer Ajer found themselves in darkest Fife playing at a ground more famous for Stock Car Racing than football.
With Aidan Nesbitt and Joe Thomson recalled from their loan spells at Morton and Dumbarton- who could be future opponents in this competition- there was a familiar look about the Celtic side as they resumed their Irn Bru adventure.
After a promising start the Colts found themselves a goal down on the half hour mark when Todorov poked a low shot under Ross Doohan into the net.
There was no further scoring before the interval with PJ Crossan replacing Nesbitt at the break. Six minutes into the second half Celtic were back on level terms when Aitchison scored from close range.
In the 71st minute Crossan made it a happy return to Fife when he scored from close range after home keeper David McGurn had failed to hold a shot.
Cowdenbeath lost their discipline at that point with Chris Turner picking up a hilarious red card while being substituted. Turner decided to make a gesture to the Celtic support, was recalled onto the pitch to be sent off leaving the Cowden sub to kick his heels in frustration on the bench.
Celtic dominated the closing stages but were unable to add to the goals from Aitchison and Crossan.
CELTIC: Doohan; Ralston, Wardrop, McCart, McIlduff; Thomson, Ajer, Hendry (Johnston 89), Nesbitt (Crossan 46); Miller, Aitchison
SUBS: Hazard, Higgins, Hill, Murray, Archibald.