CHAMPIONSHIP
HAVING approached this clash on the back of four games without a win, Hibernian stuttered to yet another disappointing result.
Neil Lennon’s men battled out a goalless draw with the highly-motivated Kirkcaldy side which clearly has designs on again featuring in the endof-season play-offs.
The inspiring earlyseason form displayed by Hibs prior to their recent lapse is now a fading memory for their supporters, almost 2000 of whom made the trip the across the Firth of Forth.
However, the Easter Road side’s chances of recording an overdue win were hampered by the fact that they were required to play for more than half the game with only 10 men due to the 38th minute dismissal of midfielder Marvin Bartley – a decision which left manager Neil Lennon raging.
“I have to be careful what I say” said Lennon, “but in three of our last four games we’ve ended up with only 10 men on the pitch.
“Today Raith had five yellow cards, we’ve had one but I’m the one who’s had to play with 10 men.
“I’m proud of the team. They gave everything today and I thought they were brilliant.”
The pre-match forecast of a feisty encounter, in view of the fact Gary Locke and Rudi Skacel, both regarded as Hearts legends are now part of the set up at Raith, failed to materialise as the first half lumbered along, littered with a series off stoppages caused by petty fouls.
Raith went close early on when Jordan Thompson, on loan from Rangers, tested Hibs’ Israeli international goalkeeper Ofir Marciano with a firmly-struck low shot before Bobby Barr sent a long-range effort narrowly over.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men seven minutes from the interval.
Barr fouled Bartley just outside the Hibs’ penalty area and the midfielder reacted angrily, appearing to aim a kick at the Rovers winger right in front of referee Stephen Finnie who was left with no option but to show a straight red.
Hibs looked a different side after the break. They should have taken the lead midway through the second half when Grant Holt, with the goal at his mercy, just failed to latch on to a low cross from James Keatings.
Raith almost edged in front towards the end when Marciano saved a powerful header from the impressive Kyle Benedictus but in the end a draw looked to be a just outcome.