Preview

After a dramatic last-minute equaliser at Dumbarton in midweek, Raith Rovers face another long journey on Saturday, when they head to Stranraer.

It’ll be a contest between two sides who are in need of points, but for differing reasons, with Rovers looking to keep themselves ahead of Forfar Athletic and East Fife in the playoff spots, while Stranraer sit in eighth place, just three points above Brechin and five above Stenhousemuir.

Stair Park hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Rovers recently, with just one win from their last three visits, and it was at that venue that Rovers started their campaign, with a 1-1 draw back in August, with Raith’s goal scored by Liam Buchanan in the 29th minute after Rovers were awarded a penalty, but Stranraer were worthy of a point, and it was a former Raith player who scored it, with Grant Anderson restoring parity early in the second period.

Rovers went one better back in October with a 2-1 home win, but it was an uphill struggle, with Euan Murray dismissed in the first half, although a Kevin Nisbet brace ensured the points stayed in Kirkcaldy.

Stranraer’s form since the turn of the year had seen them drift towards the bottom of the table, with no wins in half a dozen matches, but a win over Brechin followed by a draw with Stenhousemuir has seen them put a slight gap between the two teams below them.

Rovers have an excellent record in this fixture, with eight wins and one draw from their last 10 meetings.

Saturday’s match referee will be David Munro.

Head-To-Head League Record At Stranraer:

Stranraer Wins: 7 | Raith Rovers Wins: 16 | Draws: 7

Stranraer Goals: 38 | Raith Rovers Goals: 65

Current Form:

Stranraer: L-L-D-L-W-D | Raith Rovers: L-D-L-L-W-D

Top Goal Scorers:

Stranraer: Joao Victoria 8 | Innes Cameron 6 | Grant Anderson 5

Raith Rovers: Kevin Nisbet 23 | Liam Buchanan 10 | Lewis Vaughan 9

Match Odds:

Stranraer: 7/2 | Raith Rovers: 33/50 | Draw: 16/5

Highlights

Interviews

RaithTV spoke to John McGlynn after the 2-2 draw

Live Updates

0'
💬
Welcome to Stair Park Stranraer, it's 9 degrees but feels like 0 degrees and overcast.
1'
Rovers kick off towards the left of the main stand.
2'
💬
The wind doing its best to break up play.
4'
A slip by Gillespie almost lets Victoria through. The home support screaming for a foul but none is given.
6'
Rovers survive a corner as Cummins glances his header out of play.
8'
⚽️
Goal Stranraer. Kyle Turner unmarked at the back post slots the ball past the diving Thomson to open the scoring.
11'
Cameron bombing down the left crosses in vain as there is no one there to latch on.
17'
Crane recieves a diagonal pass from Gillespie deep in the box, his pass across goal fails to attract attention and rolls out at the back post.
20'
Hamill with a pinpoint cross found Elliot whose header is tipped onto the bar by Thomson.
21'
⚽️
Goal Stranraer. Joao Victoria strikes from outside the area and into the top corner.
28'
Dingwall, Nisbet and Barjonas all falling over trying to get the ball in the net with Currie scrambling to clear.
30'
Nisbet releases Gullan on the right, his cross back into the box is gathered by Currie.
32'
McGuffie with a great cross finds Crane who tried to blooter the ball into the net but managed to sclaff it wide.
34'
Gillespie yellow for a foul.
38'
Comedy in the Stranraer box as Currie managed to fresh air kick a pass back for a Rovers corner.
40'
Nisbet heads wide as the wind carried the ball out of play.
45'
Half time. Stranraer 2-0 Raith Rovers (Turner 8' Victoria 21')
46'
Back underway, hopefully Rovers can make the wind work for them in this half.
46'
⚽️
GOAL ROVERS.
46'
I missed the build up, however Craig McGuffie fires in a cross at the back post to reduce the deficit.
49'
💬
The weather has turned for the worse. the rain is coming down in sheets.
52'
Free kick taken by McGuffie swings in and McKay then Murray fail to capitalise as the ball rattles round the box.
54'
Penalty for Rovers
55'
⚽️
Nisbet beats Currie as the keeper dives the wrong way. GOAL ROVERS
58'
Dingwall holds his head as he sees his shot trundle wide of the back post.
58'
Thomson at the top of his concentration as a falling ball oscillates in the air.
65'
💬
Simon the kitman is going to be working late tonight, plenty dirty kits to wash.
68'
↔️
Gullan off, Buchanan on.
70'
↔️
McGuffie off, Flanagan on.
72'
↔️
Elliott off, O'Keefe on.
75'
Kyle Turner going on a mazy 20 yard run sees his tired shot cleared.
78'
Nisbet then Buchanan see shots blocked.
80'
McCann yellow for tripping Dingwall.
80'
Matthews yellow for tripping Turner.
82'
💬
Both teams having a go at this, an extra two points to play for.
85'
💬
5 tense minutes left to play.
90'
+3 Full time.
90'
Stranraer 2-2 Raith Rovers (Turner 8' Victoria 21' ) (McGuffie 47' Nisbet P 56')