Rovers miss out on top spot as Loons dig deep

LEAGUE ONE: Hosts unable to make breakthrough at rain-lashed Stark’s Park

RAITH ROVERS 0 FORFAR ATHLETIC 0

Raith saw an opportunity to go top of League One slip away at a rain-lashed Stark’s Park.

Forfar dug deep to earn a point in Stuart Malcolm’s first league game in charge and few could argue that they deserved it on a night of few chances.

The home side took just a minute to test Marc Mccallum – Ross Matthews and John Baird both firing shots at the goalkeeper but he was equal to the task.

A Kieron Bowie cross hit the top of the crossbar as Raith continued to press but Forfar also threatened on the break.

Dale Hilson curled a shot narrowly past the post and Callum Tapping tried a shot from distance which was not too far away.

Forfar lost Jordan Kirkpatrick to injury after 32 minutes and he was replaced up front by Ross Forbes.

The persistent rain was causing problems for both teams with few chances created in the first 45 minutes.

Lewis Allan tried his luck early in the second half after spying Mccallum out of his goal but the ball sailed over the top.

There was a blow for Raith when Bowie had to go off after an hour with a leg injury after a challenge from Jamie Bain and Daniel Armstrong entered the fray.

But Forfar looked more threatening as the game wore on and Raith seemed to be running out of ideas.

Rovers boss John Mcglynn sent on Grant Anderson for Allan for the final 20 minutes in a bid to get something out of the game.

On a night when conditions played such a big part, Forbes thought he could catch out Ross Munro with an ambitious attempt from just inside his own half but it was well wide of the Raith goal.

Grant Anderson fashioned a late chance for Baird but his shot was blocked and Armstrong flashed a shot wide of goal as the hosts finished strongly.

Steven Anderson met an Armstrong corner in the last minute but his effort was high over the top.

Baird had the final chance deep into injury-time but tugged his shot well wide of target to sum up Raith’s night.

Raith: Munro, Mckay, Steven Anderson, Benedictus, Macdonald, Browne (Armstrong 61), Matthews, Tait (Dingwall 76), Gullan, Baird, Allan (Grant Anderson 69). Subs not used: Watson, Smith, Thomson, Vitoria.

Forfar: Mccallum, Meechan,whyte, Travis, Bain, Mackintosh, Irvine, Docherty, Tapping (Coupe 84), Kirkpatrick (Forbes 33), Hilson. Subs not used: Jackson, Mclean, Mcguff, Burns, Robertson.

Referee: Kevin Graham.

John Baird: Missed chances to score against his former club.