Report

Raith Rovers earned a point on the road on Friday after playing out a goalless draw against Partick Thistle at Firhill.  

A challenging playing surface made it difficult for both teams to play any form of fluid football, and a few controversial flashpoints alongside just a handful of half-chances made for a scrappy affair.  

Barry Robson stuck with the same starting eleven that dispatched Dunfermline 2-0 just six days earlier. There was one new name on the Rovers team sheet though as Middlesbrough loanee Geroge Gitau returned from injury. The 21-year-old right-back replaced Lewis Vaughan, who missed out through illness.  

Partick got the evening’s affairs underway and quickly gave away several free kicks in the opening few minutes. Raith whipped some crosses in to the Partick box from the set pieces, and Callum Fordyce came close early on after his header towards the far post was parried by Partick keeper, Lewis Budinauckas.  

Partick started to come into the match, but a series of tackles and fouls from both teams in the middle of the park stopped the match flowing.  

Controversy arose around the half-hour mark after Bannigan fouled Doherty close to the half-way line. The Partick midfielder was awarded a yellow card for his actions, but the nature of the high studded challenge could may well have led to a dismissal on another occasion.  

Neither team could have any real complaints going into halftime after an even but goalless first half, and the remaining 45 minutes got under way shortly after.  

Raith had a strong shout for a penalty just two minutes into the second half after Hanlon went down in the penalty area, but the referee allowed play to harmlessly continue before Partick were awarded a goal kick.  

The Rovers went on to weather a bit of a storm shortly after their penalty appeal. Josh Rae was on hand to save Brian Graham’s six-yard headed effort from a corner, and Robbie Crawford’s looping header on target five minutes later was also tipped over the bar by the Raith keeper.  

Player-coach Brian Graham was substituted off on the 70-minute mark after suffering a ball to the face, but the experienced striker remained on the touchline to see out the match as part of his off-field responsibilities.  

Aidan Connolly came on in the 77th minute for Raith, replacing Finlay Pollock who joins up with the U-21 Scotland squad in Spain the following day.  

Partick continued to keep some pressure on the Raith defence, and The Rovers broke forward a few times late on, before failing to make any real attacking inroads.  

A flurry of substitutions from both teams made up the remainder of the match, and the final whistle called the end to an uneventful night of flood-lit football.  

Another point on the road does keep Raith in the hunt for promotion play-off football, but fourth-placed Partick still remain seven points clear with six games to go. Raith do have a game in hand to play however, which will be played out this Tuesday away to sixth-placed Greenock Morton.  

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