Keatings strikes late to put Raith on ropes
NO Neil Lennon in the home dugout at Easter Road. Nowhere near the strongest Hibs starting XI on show. No problem for the Championship winners’ second string — but only thanks to lastgasp hero James Keatings.
On an unexpectedly thrilling night in the capital, the Hibs striker’s second goal of the game three minutes into stoppage time ramped up Raith’s relegation fears.
It also headed off any complaints from disgruntled fans of St Mirren and Ayr United in the battle against the drop after Lennon rested ten of the 11 that started Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Aberdeen.
In the end, defeat was cruel on the Fifers, who twice came from behind to level the match on John Hughes’ return to Leith.
Keatings had put Hibs ahead in the first half with a poacher’s finish, only for Declan McManus to level midway through the second half.
After Grant Holt came off the bench for the second consecutive match to score, Ryan Hardie did likewise to move Rovers towards a precious point.
But Keatings’ stunning late free-kick means Raith remain just a point above St Mirren with a tense trip to Paisley on Saturday. They are also three points clear of rock bottom Ayr United with two games left.
As he started a two-match ban for the infamous Battle of Easter Road skirmish with Morton boss Jim Duffy, Lennon had promised he would field a second string but not a weakened side.
From the side that lost 3-2 at Hampden on Saturday, out went Ofir Marciano, David Gray, Darren McGregor, Lewis Stevenson, Fraser Fyvie, Martin Boyle, Dylan McGeouch, John McGinn and Jason Cummings.
In contrast, the relative lack of options available to Hughes meant he could only field five subs rather than the usual seven.
Among those missing was the veteran Czech midfielder, Rudi Skacel. The Hearts legend would have been relieved to miss being part of a guard of honour for Hibs after their title win.
Initially, this Hibs side made for a potent blend, including experienced players with contracts to win and hungry youngsters with points to prove.
Chris Humphrey was tormentor in chief with his lung-bursting runs down the right, allied to terrific deliveries.
Fraser Murray should have scored from Humphrey’s first cross but his diving header went wide.
From the winger’s constant supply line, Brian Graham’s header forced an acrobatic save from Pavol Penska, before he sent another wide moments later.
The lively Murray was next up but his shot from 22 yards sailed narrowly over the bar. Overall, the 17-year-old did enough here to suggest he has a bright future.
Easter Road also saw the return of Hibs defender Jordon Forster, playing for the first time since being poleaxed by Kudus Oyenuga in the incident that sparked bans for Lennon and Duffy.
Forster had barely time to settle when he was scythed down by Mark Stewart. It was an ill-timed forward’s tackle and, after the Raith forward signalled his regret, the pair shook hands. It was all rather civil compared to the events of March 29.
Rovers were not in the match at all but the longer the half went on they finally started to threaten.
A decent save was requited from Ross Laidlaw to stop a longdistance effort from Chris Johnston. McManus then came close with an adventurous volley from a narrow angle that soared narrowly wide.
But it was still no surprise when Hibs opened the scoring. The outstanding Humphrey, picking up a defence splitter from Graham, raced down the right before lifting his head to assess his options. He issued a dinked ball to the back post, presenting Keatings with an open goal that he accepted with glee.
Rovers fans were left furious after the break when McManus had the ball in the net but was judged to have fouled Alex Harris in the build-up.
But their team drew deservedly level when Bobby Barr drove into the box before setting up McManus to drive beyond Laidlaw. In the wild celebrations that followed, McManus was booked.
He nearly scored again when he capitalised on hesitant defending from Efe Ambrose to chip Laidlaw but the ball came agonisingly back off the inside of the post.
In a breathless finish, Holt took a pass from Keatings and dinked the ball over Penska to put Hibs back in the lead.
Four minutes later, though, Hardie raced through, rounded Laidlaw and his finish sent the Raith fans into raptures.
But there was still time for Keatings to secure all three points — sending the dejected Rovers players to their knees.
It was a cruel finale and former amateur boxer Hughes must now lift his battered players off the canvas for the final two matches if they are to save their Championship status.