Reports

 Fantastic Mr. Fox Denies Raith Victory

Raith Rovers ended Partick Thistle's 100% record but Thistle remained unbeaten in the league after a last-minute equaliser at Stark's Park today.

Raith made one change from the midweek encounter against Celtic, David Smith coming in for Joe Hamill, who dropped to the bench. Thistle retained the same side that overcame Cowdenbeath in their last fixture.

Thistle have been rightly praised for their start to the season, not only due to their results but also because of their performances, and it was easy to see why in the opening stages. Chris Erskine in particular was proving to be a handful to the home defence, looking to come in from the left with the ball at every available opportunity to run at the Raith back four.

The pace of Partick's attacks seemed to unsettle the home side and their defence in particular seemed hesitant, with several examples of indecision being spotted in the opening stages. It was from such a mistake that Raith picked up their first booking, Mensing giving the ball away just inside his own half and then pulling his opponent down when the break looked on. From Paul Paton's free kick Aaron Sinclair found himself in space but his downward header was straight at McGurn.

The opening 20 minutes was pretty much one way traffic with Partick's full backs O'Donnell and especially Sinclair quick to break forward to offer support to the front men. Most of their attacks were coming from their left hand side with Erskine, Sinclair and Bannigan all combining well. While the football was great to watch and producing some dangerous whipped in crosses it wasn't creating much in terms of clear-cut chances although Paton should have done better when presented with a chance after 20 minutes, his  finish from 6 yards ending up straight at McGurn.

Despite being under the cosh Raith almost opened the scoring with their first real attack, Grant Anderson was allowed space to turn from 2o yards out but his good drive was fumbled unconvincingly around the post by Fox. From Walker's corner, Hill headed over the bar.

There was controversy just before the half  hour mark when Erskine received the ball out wide on the left. After jinking between both Mensing and Grant Anderson he was tripped up, and with most fans thinking the perpetrator had been Mensing the supporters in the home end were relieved to see Anderson was given the yellow card by referee Kevin Clancy.

The game was starting to open up now. Firstly McGurn saved from close range from Elliot, then Rovers raced up the park and forced a corner from which Malone headed over when he could have done better.

The crowd sensed that despite being second best in terms of possession, Rovers were just starting to get a toe hold in the game. Mensing fed Thomson on the right-wing who in turn laid it off to Grant Anderson. His clever turn allowed him to gallop into the box and faced with a lack of options he went for a near post shot that almost dipped in after Fox's parry. From the resultant corner Partick got another let off. A poor clearance saw the ball swept back into the box but Spence and Graham just couldn't get the vital touch and then Grant Anderson saw his effort at the back post blocked.

The chance was the last action of a first half that had seen Partick at times play some great football, although Rovers had probably fashioned the more clear-cut opportunities.

Partick tried their best to rectify that fact in the opening minute of the second half. A ball over the top saw the Raith defence caught out, allowing Bannigan a clear route to goal but his fierce drive was acrobatically kept out somehow by McGurn.

Two minutes later the away side squandered another good chance. Some more great play from Erskine, Elliot and Lawless freed up Bannigan at the back post but he half volleyed the ball over despite being in time and space.

Hill was then booked for a fairly innocent looking coming together of bodies mid way inside the Rovers half.

The game began to get slightly scrappy with Partick struggling to find the fluency that they had in the first half while Raith were failing  to gain any momentum at all. Their only chance of note in the opening spell of the second period fell to Walker who's drive to the edge of the box was halted by an excellent challenge from Muirhead.

Jackie McNamara made his first change on 56 minutes, Kris Doolan replacing Christie Elliot to the delight of the travelling fans who chanted the substitutes name as he ran onto the park.

Erskine was as much a handful to the Rovers defence in the second half as he had been in the first. After 60 minutes he evaded 2 challenges before crossing to O'Donnell who had again found space at the back post but his headed finish was poor.

The opening goal was looking more and more vital and probably just against the run of play, it was Rovers who grabbed it on 66 minutes. Grant Anderson attempted a first time cross into the box which didn't trouble the Partick defence. However with Sinclair in possession inside the box he carelessly gave it away to Spence who turned and unleashed a fantastic drive past Fox to put Thistle behind in a league game for the first time this season.