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Preview

After the weather enforced cancellation at Gayfield last weekend, Raith Rovers play their first Championship match in three weeks this Saturday, when Dunfermline Athletic are the visitors to Stark's Park.

James McPake's side are on a run of two successive defeats, after a heavy loss to Partick Thistle was followed up with a 1-0 reverse to Ayr United at East End Park last time out.

Those results see the Pars seventh in the table, however, they're just two points behind the promotion playoff spots, having played a game fewer than most of the teams above them.

This will be the two sides third meeting already this season, with Dunfermline taking the honours in the first meeting on the opening day of the season back in July.

With the two teams unable to be separated after 90 minutes of their Viaplay Cup group tie, Athletic went home with the bonus point thanks to a victory in the penalty shoot out.

It was another tight encounter when the two faced off in the league at East End Park in August, but Rovers claimed their first win at the venue in a decade, with Sam Stanton's first half goal enough to take all three points.

An indicator of how close this fixture normally is, is that four of the last half dozen have finished all square, although Rovers do have a decent home record against Saturday's opponents, with their last loss coming in a 2-0 defeat back in 2017.

Saturday's match referee will be Iain Snedden

Head-To-Head Record

Raith Rovers Wins: 43

Dunfermline Wins: 50

Draws: 32

Reports

Late drama in third derby match of the season

Rovers hosted Dunfermline for the second time this season – although for the first in the league – with both sets of fans expecting another close encounter. With Scott Brown deputising at centre back, Scott McGill moved into a midfield role, whilst Ross Millen and Josh Mullin returned to the first 11.

It was the visitors that started on the front-foot and almost took the lead with an early corner and header, but it was well saved by Kevin Dabrowski low to his left. Dunfermline continued to press with multiple corners and long throws; however, a combination of defensive blocks and good saves from Dabrowski kept the score equal.

Rovers’ best chance of the first half was a back post header from Euan Murray but it was just a bit too high, and cleared the bar by a yard. Dunfermline were definitely the better side first half but failed to score, so the teams went in for half-time goalless.

Half-time: Raith Rovers 0-0 Dunfermline

Rovers started the second in more positive mode but failed to really trouble the away goal, in fact it was Dabrowski who was the much busier keeper.

Ian Murray rolled the substitute dice by introducing Aidan Connolly and Dylan Easton and it seemed to give the home side a lift, with Deniz Mehmet having to look sharp from a long range Lewis Vaughan effort.

The drama, though, was to unfold after the 90mins. Neat play from Vaughan and Easton found Sam Stanton in the box, he turned his man and slotted into the bottom corner, giving Mehmet no chance. Rovers 1-0 Dunfermline

The 93rd minute goal had Rovers’ fans in ecstatic mode and leaving Dunfermline ruing their missed chances. The second 1-0 derby win for Rovers means they close the gap on leaders Dundee Utd.

Full-time: Raith Rovers 1-0 Dunfermline

Crowd: 5,925

by David Proudfoot

Photos

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the 1-0 derby win at Stark's Park:

Live Updates

0'
Teams are heading out the tunnel and making their way onto the pitch. It's a noisy Stark's Park!
0'
Rovers will be shooting into their home crowd first half…
0'
Vaughan kicks off for the Rovers!
1'
Early corner for Dunfermline.
1'
Great save from Dabrowski. Wee flick to the bottom corner and he gets a glove to it.
3'
Dabrowski races out along the goal line to clear just by the corner flag! Has to race back to protect his goals before a quick throw in.
6'
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Quick, positive start from Athletic.
8'
Low save from Dabrowski. Parries away to his right.
10'
Block from Stanton. That could have been a goal for the Pars.
11'
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Rovers under the cosh.
13'
Corner Raith.
13'
Corner headed clear for a throw in by the Main Stand corner flag.
14'
Vaughan with some serious Stuart Romaines skills there. Final ball is cleared away from danger.
15'
Nice move down the left from Athletic. It's a corner for the team in red.
15'
Second corner for Dunfermline
18'
Corner Dunfermline.
21'
Murray knocks the ball out for a Dunfermline corner.
25'
Mullin with a decent cross from the right. Vaughan collects, turns and shoots just over.
26'
Jakubiak booked inside Rovers half.
29'
Resultant free kick ushered out for a Rovers corner.
29'
Millen rises well, but headers just over the bar. That was a chance.
33'
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Sair wan for Jakubiak who loses a 50/50 with keeper, Dabrowski in the box.
38'
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Stats: 50%-50% possession.
41'
Jakubiak with the chance in the box. Doesn't connect properly and the danger is gone.
44'
Corner Dunfermline.
45'
Murray tries a 35-yarder. It doesn't go in.
45'
Smith wins a lare corner for Raith.
45'
Half time Raith Rovers 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic
45'
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Athletic just shade the first half, with an impressive first 10 minutes.
46'
↔️
Benedictus replaced by Hamilton.
48'
Corner Raith.
49'
Dunfermline has to clear their lines there. Murray heads back at the far post.
49'
Moffat snap shot in the box. Dabrowski saves.
55'
Jings! Double save from Dabrowski there.
60'
Dick tries a cross from left, it's deflected out for a corner.
60'
Dunfermline clear.
64'
↔️
Moffat replaced by O'Halloran
65'
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McGill replaced by Connolly.
67'
Mullin collects the ball, when he, perhaps, wasn't expecting it. His shot at the back post was high and wide.
69'
Vaughan shoots from over 20 yards out. Doesn't look too dangerous, but brings out a good save from Mehmet
73'
Corner Raith.
74'
↔️
McCann replaced by Wighton
76'
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Easton replaces Mullin
80'
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Chalmers replaces Breen
87'
Comrie unmarked at the back post. He misses the ball with a diving header.
88'
Att:5,925
90'
Brown clears. It's out for a Dunfermline corner.
91'
Allan booked for stopping Vaughan progressing.
92'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!!!!!
92'
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Incredible scenes as STANTON picks up the ball just inside the box. He turns and drills a left foot shot into the bottom corner.
94'
Corner Athletic
95'
Corner still not taken!
95'
Easton booked.
95'
↔️
Masson replaced Easton
96'
Dabrowski point blank save. Ooooft…
97'
Full time: Raith Rovers 1-0 Dunfermline Athletic
97'
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UNBELIEVABLE!