Points now Raith priority: Vaughan

Rovers forward relieved by return to winning ways

Raith Rovers kept their outside League One title hopes alive with a hard-fought win in Airdrie on Saturday.

First half goals from Lewis Vaughan and Jason Thomson proved decisive as Raith held on after Scott Stewart pulled one back for the home side straight from kick-off in the second half.

Vaughan’s opener was his 22nd strike of a prolific season, but the marksman was just relieved to get back to winning ways after four games without a victory, a run which has left the Kirkcaldy side trailing six points behind Ayr United in the League One title race.

“As much as you want the performance, it was all about getting the points on the board today,” he said.

“I thought we started the game really well, came out the traps and scored an early goal. We knew they’d come out flying in the second half and we were a bit unfortunate to concede a goal right after half-time.

“It was the opposite of what we wanted to do – but that’s football sometimes – and we dug in and got the three points.”

After spending much of the campaign covering for injuries in the middle of the park, Vaughan relished the chance to partner Willis Furtado in attack.

“It’s a small man, big man partnership and that’s where I want to play, I’m a striker,” he said.

“I thought we linked up very well and Willis was very unfortunate not to score as well.

“Whoever I play with up there, or if I’m out wide, I’ll give 100% and hopefully we can push Ayr to the last game of the season.”

Raith travelled to Airdrie with a full squad, a rarity in a campaign blighted by injuries, which saw the return of influential Scott Robertson in midfield, and a strong bench.

That was reflected in Rovers’ positive start, leading to the opening goal after nine minutes. Furtado’s near post corner was flicked on by Euan Murray and Vaughan pounced to fire home from six yards.

Rovers doubled their lead on 21 minutes with Furtado again the provider with another corner into the heart of the Airdrie box bulleted home by the head of Jason Thomson.

Furtado almost made it three as his header from a Vaughan free-kick smacked the bar, while Vaughan also forced Muir into a difficult save from a swerving 20-yard drive.

The home side had barely threatened but the game took a twist just 20 seconds after the break when Ryan Conroy crossed for Stewart to head home from close range.

There was no panic from Raith, however, and with better finishing the visitors would have won more comfortably. Furtado fired straight at goalkeeper Willie Muir when clean through, while the Frenchman also slightly overhit a pass to Vaughan that would have left his strike partner with a tap-in at the back post.

Airdrie’s attempts to equalise were thwarted by a resolute Raith defence, and their hopes died with a late red card for midfielder Luke Watt, who received a second caution for a late challenge on Ross Matthews.

Raith boss Barry Smith was delighted with his team’s response after a difficult few weeks.

“Airdrie had only lost one game here all season so it’s a great result,” said the former Dundee manager.

“The boys were excellent. They stood up when they had to and possibly could have scored another couple of goals going forward.”

Raith can reduce the gap at the top to three points in their game in hand tomorrow as East Fife visit Stark’s Park in the rearranged Fife derby.

When asked if the title race will go to the wire, Smith added: “I’d like to think so. We’ll just keep plugging away, getting three points, and see what happens after that.”