Report

Raith notched a second consecutive goalless draw on Friday night after holding league leaders St Johnstone to a stalemate in Kirkcaldy.

Both sides allowed a couple of golden chances to find the net go amiss, and a distinct lack of any further opportunities led to the absence of any goals on the night.

Dougie Imrie made three changes after the Rovers’ 0-0 draw away to Morton six days earlier, with Paul Nsio, Jai Rowe, and Ewan Wilson all taking a place on the bench. Ross Matthews started, as well as debutant loanee Innes Cameron.

Lewis Stevenson made up the final change – marking his return from a near two-month-long injury spell by starting straight from the off.

St Johnstone got the match underway on a flood-lit night in front of the TV cameras and looked the sharper side early on. Liam Smith tested Josh Rae with a long-range strike across the deck just three minutes in, but the effort comfortably found its way into the gloves of the Rovers’ shot stopper.

Raith settled somewhat, but that didn’t stop one of the most calamitous moments of football any supporter is likely to witness from occurring in the 14th minute…

With a curtain of smoke covering half the pitch due to a display in the away end, St Johnstone pressed on towards Raith’s goal through Fotheringham. The winger’s eventual effort on target took a heavy deflection, which left Rae scrambling to deny an open goal for Josh Fowler. Rae did well and put the ball onto the bar, but ultimately left Sam Stanton with a shot on goal from less than a yard out, with no Raith player in sight. Stanton got his effort away, but was denied by the face of his own teammate on the line, Fowler, – much to the amusement and relief of the home end. Travelling fans would have done well to see such a squandered chance, with a break in play allowing the smoke to clear shortly after.

Raith kicked on and earned themselves a few corners for their efforts. A scramble in the box from one of such corners ensued in the 19th minute, which ended with Vaughan hitting the back of the net from six yards out. Celebrations were short-lived though, with a tight offside call ruling the goal out.

The energy continued from The Rovers, and a good bit of football through the middle of the park saw Jack Hamilton work the ball into the Saints’ penalty area in the 34th minute. A smart move allowed Scott Brown to get a shot away from the edge of the box, which was awkwardly saved by Saint’s keeper Toby Steward. Lewis Vaughan looked to be first to the loose ball just two yards from goal, but Steward did well to react and gather before the Rovers man could score.

St Johnstone came back into the second half looking somewhat revitalised, getting the ball in and around Raith’s penalty area often early on. Raith defended well though, limiting the visitors to no real efforts on goal in the opening minutes of the half.

Rovers’ supporters were left in audible protest after a coming together between Hamilton and Diabate had home fans shouting for a red card, but play continued – to much outrage from the Raith end.

A series of fouls, bookings, and substitutions broke up play as the second half continued, which saw Innes Cameron’s debut come to an end in the 68th minute after being replaced by Josh Mullin.

Any remaining real chance would not come along until deep into injury time, with a Saints free kick from wide in the 95th minute giving Rovers fans a very good reason to look away. The ball into the box caused bother, giving Jason Holt a great chance to net a winner from just six yards out. The Saint’s skipper went with his head though, directing the ball straight into the hands of Rae.

Dylan Easton had the last kick of the match moments later, after his long-range volley looped away from the goal before the final whistle sounded immediately after.

A point and clean sheet against the current table-toppers puts Raith up to fifth and just two points shy of fourth, but varying matches in hand elsewhere could drastically change the table once all is said and done.

Next up – Raith are back on the road with an away trip to Airdrie in the Challenge Cup semi-final this Wednesday, before a further journey away to Ross County awaits in the league next weekend.

Written by Hamish Rankine.

Photos