Match Report - By Steven Mew

With Ayr starting to pick up some form after the sacking of Robert Connor a few weeks ago, this was a game both sides were eager to get three points from as they look to further enhance their chances of making the play-off’ come the end of the season.

Under the reign of John MyGlynn, Raith have been in inspirational form despite the set-back against Stirling Albion last weekend. A recent run has taken Raith from the lower reaches of the table to a side currently sitting comfortably in the play-off’s, just one solitary point behind City.

After having at least one man dismissed in the last 3 games, City had to be careful about their discipline on the field and thankfully the side went through this game without a single booking, which will have no doubt pleased the manager.

The matches between the two sides have been fairly even this season; both teams have won 1-0 at their own ground while the other meeting at Starks Park ended in a 1-1 draw, which City really should have won at the end.

Both Craig Nelson and Darren Smith were free of suspension for this one but unfortunately Darren Smith had picked up an ankle injury and he took no part in the game. However, Craig Nelson took his place between the sticks, replacing John Hillcoat.

City supporters will have been delighted to see Grant Johnson on the bench for the game. Grant has been troubled with injury all season and once fit he will be a crucial player for the side and we hope he will be able to make an impact in the closing weeks of the season.

The home side were still without John Ward, who is back in training, Ross Archibald and the suspended David Murie. The visitors were without former City man Iain Davidson, who was suspended while defender Mark Campbell had a thigh problem.

There was a good travelling support in town, which boosted the crowd to a reasonable figure of 909, City’s biggest attendance at Glebe Park this season.

Looking to make up for some recent poor form, City started off brightly and came close early on when an header back from Marvin Andrew’s was well anticipated by Steven Hampshire but the striker’s header somehow went wide of the goal.

The home side came close again when a dangerous low cross from the left somehow evaded everyone inside the box and just as Steven Ferguson looked to have a clear sight of goal, he missed the ball as well and the defence cleared their lines.

City suffered a sucker punch after 28 minutes when Raith scored with their first effort of the game. Chris Silvestro flighted a lovely diagonal ball towards Hearts Loanee DENIS MCLAUGHLIN, who let the ball bounce before lobbing over Nelson and into the far corner to give Rovers and somewhat fortuitous lead.

McLaughlin nearly had his second goal just minutes later. On loan Rangers man Derek Carcary crossed in from the left and the ball was headed on by Steve Hislop and into the path of McLaughlin, but his powerful volley was well blocked by Nelson on the line. Raith players claimed the ball had crossed the line but the referee and linesman were having none of it.

City’s best chance of the game came after 36 minutes when Charlie King evaded a couple of challenges inside the box and with the goal at his mercy, his powerful shot was well saved by Chris Fahey who spread himself out well.

As half time approached City won a free kick 25 yards out and Kevin Byers’ powerful low shot was well held onto by Chris Fahey. At the other end, Stuart Callaghan had to be on hand to clear a goal bound header off the line.

At the interval, City must have felt aggrieved not to have been at least level against a Rovers side who rarely threatened Nelson in the Brechin goal. However, Raith took their chance and now City had an uphill task.

The second half was a fairly drab affair with neither side really making an impact. The weather conditions and the hard playing surface made things difficult for both sides. City threw everything at the Raith defence but it seemed like the best player on the park, Marvin Andrews, soaked up everything.

Early in the second half when Steven Hislop outpaced his marker to Pelosi’s long ball and the striker attempted to lob Nelson but the keeper managed to tip the effort over the bar for a corner.

City’s best chance fell to skipper Stevie Ferguson. A corner from the left hand side was headed downwards by Ferguson and the ball bounced agonisingly over the top.

Brechin were left to rue that missed chance as Raith doubled their advantage after 78 minutes. Steven Ferguson lost possession cheaply in midfield to Steve Bonar, who avoided the challenge of the City skipper to play Hislop through on goal. It looked as if Craig Nelson had beaten him to it but the ball squirmed loose of his grasp and STEVE HISLOP took full advantage by passing the ball into the net to give the visitors an unassailable lead.

Raith supporters had barely finished celebrating by the time City pulled one back. Kevin Byers swung the ball into the box and the Raith defence failed to pick up one of the smallest players on the field in STEVEN FERGUSON, who made up for his previous mistake by bulleting a header past Fahey.

City pushed men forward in search of an equaliser but the Raith defence, and Marvin Andrews in particular, held firm. City did come close late on but a combination of Fahey and the crossbar kept a dipping header out.

Overall, City will feel disappointed not to have taken a point from a game where they created more opportunities than the visitors, but at the end of day Raith converted two of their chances and duly earned all three points.

The result takes Raith two points above Brechin in the table. City will have to start picking up some results soon as Ayr are starting to find some form behind them.

Next up for City is Alloa at Recreation Park in a fortnight due to Scotland playing Georgia at Hampden next Saturday. Michael O’Neill and the players will see this as an excellent opportunity to get back on track.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Ayr United 4 Alloa Athletic 3

Ayr creep up behind City in the table...

Cowdenbeath 2 Forfar Athletic 1

Cowden edge out a delapadated Forfar side.

Stirling Albion 2 Morton 1

Title race is back on as Stirling beat Morton at Forthbank.

Stranraer 1 Peterhead 1

Share of the spoils at Stair Park.