Hornby howler helps hand Rovers top spot
Raith boss Barry Smith hailed his side as they hit the top ahead of Saturday’s crunch meeting at home to Ayr.
A battling win moved the Kirkcaldy outfit one point clear as their title rivals suffered a shock loss to Arbroath.
It took a Jordan Hornby own goal to seal the deal and Smith said: “It was important to win to go into the Ayr test with confidence.
“We created many chances and they’ve had good blocks and saves so it Raith Rovers ................... 2 Forfar ............................... 1 could have been more comfortable. Forfar huffed and puffed and caused a few problems at the start of the second half but it was always comfortable.
“Dario Zanatta caused them all sorts of problems. We asked him to do that and he delivered. We’re in a good place.”
Leighton McIntosh hit a crazy winner for 10-man Arbroath to complete a comeback win after Ryan Wallace had cancelled out Alan Forrest’s early strike.
That’s now three defeats in four for United who head to Kirkcaldy on Saturday a point behind Raith who have two games in hand.
McCal l said: “We’ve handed the initiative to Raith. We should have had a penalty when their guy handled on the line and been well ahead at half-time.”
Ayr went ahead in four minutes when Forrest fired in after great work by Michael Moffat.
The home side were on top and a Smokies defender then appeared to handle a
Rovers took the lead in 13 minutes when Ross Matthews bolted down the right and his cross was tapped home by Greig Spence.
But eight minutes later Forfar were level. Josh Peters latched on to a throw from David Cox to fire home. Raith were next to find the net in 26 minutes as unlucky trialist Hornby bundled the decisive goal into his own net.
After the break Zanatta’s powerful drive was well saved by Marc McCallum
Declan McDaid shot across the face of goal.
Ayr suffered a blow in 55 minutes when skipper Chris Higgins had to go off injured and Arbroath grew in confidence.
Wallace fired home the leveller from eight yards in the 68th minute. Even the loss of Tom O’Brien after his second yellow didn’t faze the visitors.
And when Ayr keeper Jordan Hart blundered, racing off his line but missing the ball, McIntosh kept his cool to fire into an empty net.
Arbroath boss Dick Campbel l said: “I was angry at half-time but the guys were outstanding.”
then Lewis Vaughan’s thunderbolt from 25 yards just cleared the bar.
Raith continued to press but Marc McCallum was alert to keep out a Matthews effort.
Forfar boss Jim Weir said: “We showed a great reaction to going a goal down. It was good for Josh to score, we’ve started him back-to-back games and he got the reward.
“They were better in the second half but we threatened at times.”