HEAD IN THE DOWDS
Anton hits heights as Dick’s boys close in on summit
ANTON DOWDS capped two birthdays with one cracker as the league’s part-timers moved to within two points of top.
The Arbroath sub, who was introduced just past the hour, headed a James Craigen corner in off a post five minutes from time.
Dowds turned 25 last Tuesday while gaffer Dick Campbell enjoyed an early present with today his 68th birthday.
On toppling the league leaders, the on-loan Falkirk frontman said: “It’s just total joy, amazing. The boys fought so hard for this.
“The gaffer asked me to come on and help out. And when the chance came, thankfully I took it.
“The gaffer has been brilliant since I came in from Falkirk. When the cross came in from James at the corner, I just had to make sure I got there.”
Kilmarnock were under the cosh for most of the match, sparking fury from the Rugby Park stands.
The home faithful’s loudest roar came when another Arbroath sub, Mikey McKenna, saw his 79th-minute penalty pushed on to a post by Zach Hemming.
But six minutes later, Dowds diverted a diagonal header high in off the right-hand post.
Arbroath richly deserved their win, which made it five games unbeaten, albeit they had keeper Derek Gaston to thank for three top-drawer saves.
Hemming also pulled off a stunning one-handed tip over the top from Luke Donnelly’s 20yard scorcher. Campbell included the win among the top 10 in his near 1500 games as a manager. And Dowds said:
“That’s an unbelievable stat that he’s got 1500 games or just about. But it’s just amazing to get the three points. The fans gave us unbelievable backing.
“They are about 1500strong for our home games and so many have come all the way here.”
Campbell savoured the victory, which was Killie’s third league defeat in eight.
He added: “I was saying to myself Michael should put the penalty down the middle because the keeper was always going to dive.
“But I cannot complain about Michael McKenna – he’s given me lots of goals this season.”
Raith’s win leaves Killie top on goal difference as boss Tommy Wright said: “There were some big moments like Oli Shaw’s chance in the first half when he was through and we had a good couple of chances in the second.
“Their keeper had probably the bigger saves to make like one from Scott Robinson’s header, which maybe hit off him. But we didn’t do enough.
“The penalty was soft, absolutely soft, and the referee couldn’t wait to give it – and that’s typical John Beaton.
“But our performance wasn’t good enough. We didn’t work their goalkeeper enough. The players wondered why the crowd was on their back at home.
“But too many back passes and not taking responsibility... that changes the atmosphere.”