We lost but we’re feeling extra special
Kyle Benedictus insists Raith Rovers’ battle with Livingston has left John McGlynn’s men confident over their Championship play-off prospects.
The Kirkcaldy outfit finally succumbed to Matej Poplatnik’s 109th-minute winner for Livi.
They had deservedly led through Lewis Vaughan’s stunning 13th-minute effort before Jack Fitzwater’s equaliser in 70 minutes.
Benedictus said: “We were different class in the first half, came and showed what we’re all about.
“We’re disappointed but still confident going into the last five games in the league. It can only help our confidence, they’re top five in the Premiership and credit to where they are.
“They were 14 games unbeaten at one point and it just shows you the squad they’ve got here.
“We gave it our best shot and took them to extra time so we need to be proud.
“We wanted to show the quality we’ve got here in front of the BBC cameras and there is no disgrace going out to a team that is fifth in the top league.”
Vaughan curled a 20-yard free-kick over the wall and past Robby McCrorie to open the scoring.
Benedictus added: “Lewis is great from dead ball situations. I fancied him to score it, you always fancy him and it gave us that lead we wanted. If we had got another things might have been different.”
This game was Rovers’ eighth in just under four weeks and defender Benedictus admits they were shattered, especially after going to extra-time.
Rovers had given their all
DARREN JOHNSTONE AT THE TONY MACARONI
but could not keep out Poplatnik’s winner after the Slovenian turned in Nicky Devlin’s cutback.
Benedictus said: “I feel the boys put a lot of effort in although it was probably a game too many.
“It took its toll in extra time and they scored a good goal to win the game. All credit to them.”
Livi scorer Fitzwater, insists the Lions are relishing an exciting ending to the season.
They begin their postsplit fixtures next week away to Celtic and are also desperate for a run in the cup after losing the Betfred Cup final to St Johnstone.
The centre-half said: “We want to challenge ourselves.
“We’ve cemented the top six now and we have to kick on now, whether that’s finishing in the top four or seeing how far we go in the cup so that is definitely on our minds.
“We had to get over the last final, it took us three or four games to really get over it because the hangover was still there.
“But we’ve fully done that now and you can see it in our performances.
“We’ve improved massively since then and we have to kick on now.
“As a club, we finished fifth last season, although I wasn’t here, we’re fifth again and we’ve got to go in and try and get as far as we can in this competition.
“There are only five games left plus the cup and we want to play in as many games as possible.”