Sat 24th February / 15:00 / Championship 23/24 / / away
Ayr United vs Raith Rovers
Line Up
Preview
After last week’s dramatic late win over Dundee United at a packed Stark’s Park, Raith Rovers will be looking to keep the pressure on at the top of the table, when they travel to Somerset Park to take on Ayr United.The Honest Men are under new management, after appointing Scott Brown to replace Lee Bullen last month.The former Aberdeen midfielder and Fleetwood Town boss has had a good start to his tenure in Ayrshire, leading them to wins over Queen’s Park and Airdrie in the league, and losing narrowly to Dundee United, and Rangers in the Scottish Cup.Those results have lifted Ayr up the Championship table to fifth, four points outside the final playoff place, and four points above the relegation zone.This will be the third meeting between the sides this term, with Rovers taking four points from six.Rovers won the first meeting at Somerset Park in September, with Dylan Easton’s brace handing Rovers a two goal lead at the interval, although Rovers had to hang on in the second, with Anton Dowds reducing the deficit.The return game at Stark’s Park just before Christmas was one of the most remarkable games of the season.Despite Ayr playing with 10 men for over half the game, Rovers had to fight back not just once, but twice, after Ayr led 3-2 and then 4-3, with Lewis Vaughan’s hat-trick and a goal from Sam Stanton earning Rovers a point on a frustrating evening.Saturday’s match referee will be Graham Grainger
Head-To-Head Record
Raith Rovers wins: 59
Ayr United wins: 56
Draws: 52
Reports
The Race goes on
Rovers travelled to Ayr boosted by the dramatic last-minute winner against league leader’s Dundee Utd last Friday – meaning Rovers are just a point off the top. Ayr have also seen a boost in form recently with Scott Brown coming in as manager. Rovers’ Scott Brown was recalled to the starting eleven after his recent heroics, and new signing Lee Ashcroft came in to make his debut.Rovers started brightly once again and took the lead inside five minutes. Nice work from Josh Mullin down the right saw him put in a back post cross which Zak Rudden caught perfectly to put Rovers ahead. Ayr Utd 0-1 Rovers.It didn’t take the hosts long to respond, though – just five minutes in fact. A free kick from the right started an old-fashioned stramash in the box, and as it pin-balled around, the ball eventually fell to Roy Syla who made no mistake from short range. Ayr Utd 1-1 Rovers.The half ebbed and flowed after that with both teams carving half-chances; however, the magic was to happen just on half-time. A fantastic diagonal pass over the top found Lewis Vaughan, he took a slick first touch on the run before clipping the ball over Joshua Clark in the home goal. No doubt, another Vaughany special.Half-time: Ayr Utd 1-2 Raith RoversWith all to play for, the second half surprisingly didn’t hit the heights of the first. Both teams had chances but, as has become typical for Rovers this season, Ayr found Kevin Dabrowski in inspired form, and likewise Ayr debutant keeper Clark stood firm.The one goal winning margin can come as no surprise to Rovers’ fans as every game this season has been determined by a single goal.A quite remarkable record and with Dundee Utd also winning, it was ‘as it was’ at the top. Rovers now face a tough home match against in-form Morton.Full-time: Ayr Utd 1-2 Raith RoversCrowd: 2,276by David Proudfoot
Photos
Highlights
Interviews
Ian Murray talked to RaithTV after the win at Somerset Park: Liam Dick was a happy man after the victory over Ayr: