Hughes pays the ultimate price for Raith’s relegation
JOHN HUGHES paid the price as Raith Rovers endured a chastening relegation to League One at the hands of part-time Brechin City.
Hughes’ chequered tenure at Stark’s Park was ended after the Fifers dropped down from the Ladbrokes Championship following a stunning penalty shoot-out defeat.
The Kirkcaldy club announced in a brief statement they had ‘parted company’ with manager Hughes and his assistant Kevin McBride following the Play-off semi-final loss.
Brechin now face Alloa, who also won on penalties against Airdrie, in the final after a tense 120 minutes and afters.
The tireless Angus outfit mustered the energy to get the better of Hughes’ men on spot-kicks as a fraught Play-off went to the wire, with Graeme Smith saving three spot-kicks before Andy Jackson stroked home the winner.
This should not be considered a smash-and-grab, either. Brechin led twice, through Ross Caldwell and Andy Jackson, and were 90 seconds away from progressing in normal time, with Jean-Yves M’voto and Declan McManus taking turns to restore parity; the latter coming deep into injury-time.
Rovers claimed the lead for the first time in the tie in extra-time through Ryan Hardie but could not shake off their opponents as Liam Watt levelled with a magnificent free-kick before City progressed in dramatic fashion.
The result ends Raith’s eight-year stay in the second tier, while Brechin will square off with Alloa for a place in the Championship next term.
‘I take full responsibility,” said Hughes. ‘It is the lowest I’ve felt. I really do feel for the players. They showed effort, commitment and will to win, but you need to take it on the chin.
‘I feel for the club, the supporters — this is a Championship club.’
Brechin boss Darren Dods said: ‘For a part-time side that was phenomenal.’