Raith Rovers v Dunfermline: Pars fall to Fife derby defeat

DUNFERMLINE suffered derby day disappointment once more as Raith Rovers completed a clean sweep of league wins over their Fife rivals.

Sam Stanton's fourth goal in six league and cup meetings between the teams this season, and a late curling effort from Dylan Easton, secured three points for the hosts in a feisty and controversial encounter.

The visitors thought they should've had a third-minute spot-kick when Matty Todd went down under Scott Brown's challenge, but referee, Craig Napier, instead booked the midfielder for simulation.

Stanton nodded Ian Murray's side ahead shortly before the break, after Deniz Mehmet had palmed out Lewis Vaughan's free-kick, before Stanton netted a fine second with 12 minutes to go.

One of Rovers' contingent of former Pars, five of whom were in the matchday squad, Callum Smith, had a stoppage time penalty saved by Mehmet, but by then the hopes of James McPake's side had been extinguished.

Athletic, much like against Airdrieonians on Tuesday, played well enough for long spells, and had chances, including from Ewan Otoo's superbly struck effort just after half-time that Kevin Dabrowski saved spectacularly.

However, a lack of clinical edge again came back to haunt them as they slid to a fifth defeat from six Fife derbies this campaign.

A frustrated McPake, who didn't offer a view on the penalty claim involving Todd, said post-match: "You can have as much of the ball as you want, you can have as many corners as you want, but ultimately, you've got to put the ball in the back of the net, and that's what Raith done.

"The team deserved that deserved to win the game today won it. Raith deserved to win the game, they scored two goals. It's sore alright, any game you lose.

"When you're here with a big travelling support, you're desperate to win the game, but they deserved to win the game.

"You can see the reason they're second in the league. They don't need to have the most of the ball, they don't need to have most of the chances, but at the top end of the pitch, they make sure, when they chances come around, they take them.

"They did that today."

The visitors welcomed back club captain, Kyle Benedictus, to the starting line-up in one of two alterations to the starting line-up from Tuesday evening's loss to Airdrieonians.

The centre back, and former Rovers skipper came in alongside Kane Ritchie-Hosler, who returned from a dislocated shoulder as a substitute against the Diamonds, for Paul Allan and Lewis McCann, who both dropped to the bench.

Benedictus hadn't featured since late December, as a substitute at Ayr United, which was his first appearance since being sidelined with a thigh injury after Dunfermline's last visit to Stark's Park.

A last minute Stanton goal gave title-chasing Rovers victory that day, and they went into the match seeking to bounce back from their loss at Arbroath last Friday, and to cut the gap to leaders Dundee United to a point.

They had won the previous four derbies - all three in the league, and one in the Scottish Cup - this season, whilst the visitors were winless, having drawn a fifth, in the Viaplay Cup, way back in July.

McPake's side saw a three-game unbeaten run end on Tuesday, and they went into the match five points behind Greenock Morton, occupiers of fourth place and the final promotion play-off spot.

However, they were also just two points above ninth-placed Inverness Caledonian Thistle, in the relegation play-off spot, so there was plenty riding on the outcome for both clubs.

And, in the third minute, referee Napier, provided one of the opening period's biggest moments - and it's most controversial.

Todd, in attempting to control inside the box, went down under Scott Brown's challenge, and it looked as though he was clipped and Dunfermline were set to be awarded a penalty.

However, Napier had other ideas, instead booking Todd for simulation and giving Raith a free-kick.

That didn't impress McPake, who would later be carded himself during the first half, but his team were certainly more than a match for their hosts in the first 45 minutes.

Ex-Par Euan Murray got in the way of an Alex Jakubiak drive, who also fired a half-volley wide of the near post, and a shot from Otoo as the Pars pressed for an opener.

Miles Welch-Hayes had a go, which was diverted off-target by Jakubiak, whilst Dabrowski had to be alert to push away a Josh Edwards free-kick.

Dabrowski also clutched a Chris Hamilton header as Dunfermline continued to probe, but it was the hosts, who had barely threatened, that struck first.

After Benedictus had done brilliantly to prevent Vaughan connecting cleanly with Josh Mullin's centre, Raith were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area.

Mehmet pushed out Vaughan's effort at his right-hand post, but the ball fell kindly on the rebound for Stanton, who headed into the net.

That was a blow for the away side, who tried to respond through Todd, but his effort was comfortable for Dabrowski, whilst Mehmet denied Rudden at the other end before the half-time whistle blew.

It wasn't to be for the visiting support this afternoon. (Image: Newsquest.)

Just minutes after the restart, Otoo was denied an equaliser by a stunning Dabrowski save.

After great work by Ben Summers, and Jakubiak, to move the ball forward and into the box, the ball broke for the ex-Celtic player at the edge of the area.

He couldn't have caught the ball any sweeter, and it would've been heading for the top corner had Dabrowski not leapt into the area to push it over the bar in sublime fashion.

Jakubiak, from a short free-kick, then saw another effort blocked out by the Raith defence, before Summers and Todd both suffered a similar fate.

Malachi Fagan-Walcott steered a loose ball from a corner over as Dunfermline continued to play on the front foot, but they couldn't find a clear-cut opportunity they needed.

And they paid for it.

With 12 minutes to go, Raith doubled their advantage.

Vaughan, on the far side, looked to be awarded a free-kick, and Rovers took it quickly.

It found its way to Easton at the edge of the box, who curled a fine finish beyond Mehmet to seal the three points.

Ex-Par Smith saw a penalty - conceded by substitute Lewis McCann for a foul on Stanton - saved in time added on by Mehmet, but the damage was already done as Raith completed the clean sweep of league victories over Dunfermline.

Raith Rovers: Dabrowski, Brown, Dick, Murray, Matthews, Vaughan (Smith 85), Mullin (Connolly 57), Stanton, Brown, Easton (Byrne 85), Rudden (Hamilton 68).

Subs not used: Corr, Turner, McGill, Thomson, McNeil.

Goals: Stanton (38), Easton (78).

Booked: Mullin (27), Rudden (30), Easton (34).

Dunfermline: Mehmet, Edwards, Benedictus, Hamilton, Otoo (McCann 72), Ritchie-Hosler, Todd, Jakubiak, Summers (Holmes 78), Welch-Hayes, Fagan-Walcott.

Subs not used: Chalmers, Moffat, Allan, O'Halloran, Sutherland, Benjamin, Little.

Booked: Todd (3), Hamilton (27), McPake (28), Benedictus (45).

Referee: Craig Napier.

Attendance: 6,274.