A first half strike by Sam Stanton was enough to give Rovers victory away to Arbroath at Gayfield Park
The game got off to a slow start with neither side having any clear-cut chances early on, although the home side earned four corners in the first 25 minutes but couldn’t capitalise.
Rovers came close when Aidan Connolly crashed a shot off the corner of the post and bar and Sam Stanton sent a Millen cross inches past the post
The deadlock was broken in the 40th minutes when Scott Brown sent the ball to Sam Stanton who ran in on goal and made no mistake slotting the ball past Gaston in the Red Lichtie’s goal.
Sam Stanton celebrates after slipping the ball past Gaston
Frederiksen was replaced by Kyle Connell after 58 minutes and, fresh from entering the play, Connell beat the offside trap and just had the keeper to beat, but the Lichties’ No.1 stood his ground and denied the striker with a great diving save.
Minutes later, Connell had another chance to double the Rovers lead but Gaston produced another excellent save with his foot.
Aidan Connolly tried a speculative free kick from 35 yards which looked to be goal-bound until Gaston got a touch to send it over the bar and Connolly was again involved a few minutes later sending over a corner which O’Riorden got his head to but again it came back off the bar.
Kyle Connell had a couple of chances blocked by Gaston
It might not have been Arbroath’s night but they have Gaston, and the woodwork, to thank for keeping them in the game when Rovers should have been out of sight.
In the end, a hard fought win for Rovers but a well deserved one, given the weather conditions, and they now head to Inverness this weekend where the fans will be hoping for a repeat.
Photos
Highlights
Interviews
Live Updates
0'
Welcome to tonight's Cinch Championship game Arbroath v Raith. It's a cold windy night. One change from the starting line up from Saturday - Easton starts. No Gullan
0'
It's a welcome return to Mickey Cameron who is out on the pitch assisting with the warm up.
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Tonight's referee is Alan Muir assisted by Steven Traynor and Brian Christie
0'
Arbroath get the game underway. Raith shooting towards the away fans this half
1'
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Looks like the wind will be a big factor tonight as MacDonald's goal kick goes straight out
2'
O'Riordan does well to stave off Mckenna
4'
Free kick Arbroath as O'Riordan with a challenge on Linn
5'
O'Riordan agin does well to hold off Linn pushing forward
7'
Ngwenya plays well as he wins the ball, takes it upfield but unfortunately is challenged
9'
Great ball from Easton to Millen but the latter's cross is wasted
10'
Corner Arbroath
11'
From the corner the ball eventually goes outfield, ref says goal kick Arbroath players protest and insist on a corner
13'
Throw in from Millen reaches Connolly who passes to Big John, he tries to fire the ball upfield but nothing comes of it
16'
Millen's throw in reaches Big John who flicks a header on but Bitsindou is in the way
17'
Anothe Arbroath corner
19'
From an Arbroath corner MacDonald palms the ball away for another Arbroath corner
21'
O'Riordan wins the ball presses on, passes to Stanton but his return pass is intercepted
21'
Freekick Raith after a foul on Stanton
22'
Oooft…. Connolly close as his effort his the corner post
23'
Millen with a pass to Stanton, he tries to cheekily shoulder the ball into the goal but it goes wide
28'
Free kick Arbroath deep in Raith half
29'
Linn takes it, gets it over the Raith wall but MacDonald can only palm away. Ball eventually cleared
30'
O'Riordan again does well to sto a Linn threat, Arbroath corner
31'
Arbroath's third corner is as many minutes…MacDonald stops it all and smothers the ball
32'
Arbroath 0 Raith 0.
34'
Former Raith player Tait now on loan to Arbroath has a ping by the ball is well wide
37'
MacDonald comes out to grasp the ball into his clutches as he stops an in coming threat from Hamilton
38'
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MacDonald is receiving treatment
38'
He's back on his feet
39'
Millen to Stanton but the latter is challenged
40'
GGggooaaalll
40'
Brown gets the ball to Stanton who calmly drives the ball into the net for Raith's first goal of the evening
42'
Stanton's third goal of the season for Raith
43'
Booking for Millen after a hearty challenge on Tait
45'
Arbroath with a header but ball goes wide
45'
+2 ref blows for half time Arbroath 0 Raith 1 (Stanton 40')
45'
Raith get the second half underway with the wind in their favour
46'
Half time substitution for Arbroath off goes Gold and on comes Allan
47'
Easton and Liam Dick working hard to stop Arbroath making advances
48'
Big John gets the ball to Stanton, he tries to cross the ball low into the Arbroath box but it doesn't work out
49'
Ngwenya to Easton who takes a turn and drives the ball toward goal but it's well over the bar
50'
Ngwenya does well to drive forward he's then challenged by Bitsindou. Freekick Raith, yellow for Bitsindou
52'
Ngwenya with a throw in to Big John who knocks the ball on to Stanton but the latter is challenged
53'
Corner Arbroath
54'
It comes to nothing, goal kick Raith
56'
Arbroath are looking for a penalty after Linn falls in the box…ref says nah
57'
Gaston comes about 25 yards off his goal line to clear a ball as Stanton is pushing on
59'
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Raith sub off Frederikson and bring on Connell
62'
Spencer with ball into Connell he tries to flick it on but the ball doesn't gain any momentum from it and Galatian gathers
63'
Tonight's crowd is 1663.
66'
Stanton with a lovely wee flick on… Connell picks it up only has Gaston to beat and shoots right him
68'
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Arbroath make a triple substitution off goes Tait, McKenna and Linn and on come Hilson, Shanks and Hancock
70'
Corner Raith as Gaston palms the ball over the bar
71'
Connolly and Connell trying for goal and neither can get the ball to go into the back of the net
74'
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Arbroath sub off Jacobs and bring on Fosu
78'
Connell drives forward with the ball he has Connolly by his side. He passes but unfortunately on the return pass Connell can't do anything
78'
Corner Raith
79'
From the corner Liam Dick's header hits off the bar
79'
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Raith sub off Easton and bring on Matthews
81'
Arbroath 0 Raith 1 (Stanton 40')
83'
Booking for Little after a foul on Spencer
84'
Ngwenya to Matthews who gets the ball into the box to Easton but he can't capitalise
89'
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The travelling Raith support have been backing the team throughout the match and been in fine singing form
90'
Freeekick Arbroath after Spencer pulls the shirt of Fosu
91'
Well saved by MacDonald as Arbroath go for the dying minutes equaliser
93'
Ref blows for full time Arbroath 0 Raith 1 (Stanton 40'). A hard fought game with Raith coming out on top. The travelling fans go home tonight delighted.
