Depleted Dunfermline fall short as Raith win Fife derby

It’s a New Year but the same old story for the Pars as they failed to beat Fife rivals Raith in a pulsating game at East End.

That’s now five matches against Rovers without a victory as a depleted Dunfermline side threw everything at their opponents but visiting goalie Kevin Dabrowski pulled off some vital saves.

A promising start from Athletic was abruptly ended when Dan O’Reilly fired the Kirkcaldy side into an early lead and the league leaders were in control until a super strike from Ben Summers – his first senior goal – drew the home team level.

Centre half O’Reilly put Rovers back in front with a header shortly after the break and although Dunfermline had chances they couldn’t get a leveller against Ian Murray’s men, who headed back east with the bragging rights.

The defeat saw the Pars drop down to fifth in the Championship table with Airdrie climbing above them.

Raith arrived at East End on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run, since a 1-0 loss to Airdrie in September, and believing they had their opponent's number with victory in the previous three derby clashes.

That included knocking Dunfermline out of the Scottish Cup, a comfortable 3-0 stroll in November, and home and away 1-0 wins in the league.

The one bright spot for Athletic was in July, a penalty shoot-out win at Stark’s Park after a 1-1 league cup draw.

The Scottish Cup exit, and the manner of the defeat, was particularly painful for those of a black and white persuasion and a large home support - in a crowd of almost 8,500 - were desperate to see their favourites take revenge.

James McPake’s men started well and could have taken the lead in the first 30 seconds when Craig Wighton cleverly flicked the ball back into the path of Joe Chalmers but instead of putting the laces through it he tried a side-foot finish which lacked the power and precision to trouble Dabrowski.

There were two changes to the Athletic team that let a 2-0 lead slip at Ayr, with Chris Hamilton – wearing a protective mask - and Ewan Otoo in for Michael O’Halloran and Paul Allan.

O’Halloran picked up a knock at Somerset Park and made the bench but Allan dropped out of the squad completely.

He joined a long list of key players who missed the derby, including Kyle Benedictus, Matty Todd, Lewis McCann and Kane Ritchie-Hosler, but it was still Dunfermline that forced the pace.

In the second minute Chalmers whipped a corner to the front post and Hamilton met it, but his glancing header across goal just missed the far post and bounced wide.

Raith took time to settle but when they did they delivered a hammer blow as they took the lead in the 11th minute. Lewis Vaughan cheekily nutmegged Chalmers and was tripped for a free kick.

Josh Mullin’s devilish inswinger was touched forwards by Vaughan and forced Deniz Mehmet into an instinctive save but he couldn’t prevent O’Reilly firing home the rebound.

It got even worse for Dunfermline when Sam Fisher was stretchered off in the 23rd minute after an aerial challenge with Vaughan and Hamilton left the big defender sprawled out on the turf in agony.

It was a nasty head knock and he was taken straight to hospital with concussion and facial injuries.

Owen Moffat came on and the enforced reshuffle saw Otoo drop into the back three.

Raith tried to take advantage and in the 27th minute Mehmet shovelled Mullin’s drive round the post after Rhys Breen made a hash of a clearance.

Vaughan then forced the Pars keeper into a smart stop and Mullin smashed a rising shot over the bar as Rovers threatened to add to their lead.

Dunfermline looked short of ideas but out of the blue Summers took Chalmers' pass and strode forward in the 38th minute, he side-stepped a challenge and rifled a low shot past Dabrowski to drag his team back into the match.

Just before the break Mehmet pulled off a brilliant save as Mullin’s swerving effort looked destined for the top corner until the keeper flew across goal to push the ball away.

Raith began the second half brightly and Hamilton had to be well placed to clear Scott Brown’s dangerous cross after the away skipper barrelled down the right wing.

They set up camp in Pars territory and the pressure told in the 51st minute when O’Reilly stooped at the front post to meet Mullin’s right wing corner and head the ball into the bottom corner.

The Athletic response saw Summers slip the ball to Alex Jakubiak but his instant drive was blocked.

Moments later a Chalmers free kick was headed only as far as Otoo and he thudded a terrific strike that got caught up in a forest of legs.

In the 65th minute Aaron Comrie thought he’d levelled when he steamed in at the back post to guide a header towards the net but Dabrowski flew across goal to push the ball away.

Moments later Jakubiak smashed an angled drive but the Rovers keeper just managed to fling up an arm to divert the ball away.

The second of Dunfermline’s three centre backs, Breen, was also injured and limped out of the action in the 74th minute, to be replaced by winger O’Halloran.

It prompted another reshuffle by McPake, who had two goalies and four teenagers on the bench.

Still, they had a go and a ball flashed across goal from Josh Edwards was just grabbed by Dabrowski with young sub striker Taylor Sutherland ready to pounce on any slip-up.

Chalmers then lifted in a teasing free kick but it was just too high for Jakubiak and Raith got it clear. 

Dabrowski made sure of the points when he pushed away a deflected strike from Chalmers in the final seconds.