The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Comeback star Vaughan could be key for Rovers
Skipper Kyle Benedictus insists the return of Lewis Vaughan can spark Raith’s season – as he reckons he’s one of the best players at the club.
The long-term injury crock continued his tentative road back to fitness by playing for 82 minutes of Saturday’s draw at Somerset Park.
And Benedictus, who headed Raith in front before seeing his goal cancelled out by Aaron Muirhead, believes the return of the 25-year-old will be crucial for the run-in.
He said: “It was brilliant to get Lewis back. It’s been tough for him but he is so strong-willed, I have never played with a player like him.
“He has been through so much but you don’t lose it when you’ve got that quality.
“He will get better and better and that can only be good for us as he’s probably one of the best players at the club.”
Benedictus reckoned the bumpy Somerset pitch played a huge part in ruining the game as a spectacle as fluent football was in short supply.
He said: “We’ll take the point but we are obviously disappointed with the way we lost the goal.
“The pitch played a big part in it and we couldn’t get the ball down and play – it’s probably the worst pitch I’ve played on this season.
“Both teams cancelled each other, so probably a draw was fair.”
Only eight points separate eight teams in the tightest of leagues. Raith, Dunfermline and Dundee are all on 30 points with the two Fife clubs sharing an identical goal difference.
The Rovers skipper believes any team that can string two or three wins together can kick on and cement their place in the play-offs.
He said: “We’re confident and although we have not won in our last four games, I think the performances are there.
“It was a different type of performance at Ayr, it was more about battling. The way we play is normally nice to watch but this wasn’t the prettiest game.
“Sometimes you have to do that because of the way the pitch is at this time of year.
“I think both teams cancelled each other out and it was two set-plays that led to the goals.”
Benedictus escaped the clutches of home skipper Jack Baird to head home Dan Armstrong’s corner after 53 minutes.
He then showed his strength at the other end of the pitch to make a great block on Ayr dangerman Luke Mccowan.
Hopes of all three points disappeared with 18 minutes left when Muirhead drove home after a free-kick into the box wasn’t fully dealt with.
Raith now head to Stirling Albion in the second round of the Scottish Cup tomorrow before Morton visit Stark’s Park in the Championship on Saturday.
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He will get better and better and that can only be good for us