Report

Raith Rovers handed themselves a serious boost towards their top four hopes on Saturday after defeating Ayr United 1-0 in Kirkcaldy.  

There was little action in the first half, but a blockbuster Dylan Easton strike after the interval was well worth the price of admission for those in the home end.  

Barry Robson stuck with the same starting eleven that surpassed Hamilton 3-0 a week prior, but the bench was dealt a blow with Liam Dick and Euan Murray dropping out due to illness.  

Ayr kicked off as they looked to keep their title hopes alive and held onto the ball early on. No real chances came from this though, which allowed Raith to settle as the game progressed.  

Both sides went on to make inroads into their opponents final third but neither managed to fashion any clear-cut chances. Things livened up after a few bookings were dished out close to halftime, but the subsequent whistle signalled the end of an evenly matched but goalless first half.  

Raith had a good start to the second and went on to win a handful of set pieces as the hour mark drew near. With still no sign of the deadlock being broken, up stepped the Raith Rovers showman.  

After a Rovers’ corner was whipped into the box, Ayr cleared to the edge of their area. Dylan Easton raced to meet the loose ball and went on to hit one of the sweetest strikes Starks Park has seen in years after his half-volley soared  into the top left corner. With just over an hour on the clock, Easton had once again put his side ahead with an impeccable goal of the season contender.  

Ayr made some changes in the immediate aftermath, but Raith kept the pressure up. A wide effort from Gullan and tame header from Brown prevented a quick-fire second for the Rovers.  

Finlay Pollock pulled up in the 68th minute and was unfortunately stretchered off after a period of treatment, with the Hearts loanee showing some serious signs of discomfort. Lewis Vaughan replaced the youngster with 18 minutes left of regulation time.  

Raith soaked up some offensive efforts from Ayr and fashioned some good counter attacking chances. Kai Montagu replaced Easton in the 87th, and the young substitute’s first touch of the ball was one that took him clean through on goal from his own half. The entire home crowd rose to their feet in anticipation of a second, but Ayr’s Harry Stone saved – putting his side back on the attack deep into a hefty period of injury time.  

Ayr threw everything they had towards a late equaliser, but Raith held strong for a crucial three points.  

After an essentially perfect set of results elsewhere in the league, Raith now sit just three points short of fourth-place with four games left to play. With the promotion play-offs well and truly at stake, Starks Park is set to host Raith’s penultimate home match of the season next Saturday against a resurgent Airdrieonians.   

Written by Hamish Rankine  

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