SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP

RAITH ROVERS 1 Hardie (27) DUMBARTON 3 Nade (49), Harvie (57), Buchanan (63)

DUMBARTON halted a run of three straight defeats as they came from behind to defeat Raith, who haven’t won since October.

The Sons, boosted by the arrival of Rangers legend Ian Durrant as assistant manager, piled the pressure on Rovers boss Gary Locke.

Sons boss Steve Aitken said: “It was a terrific result. We were frustrated to be a goal down at half time but the players were excellent in the second half.

“I’m pleased that Ian is at the club. The players have responded well to him.”

Raith allowed Dumbarton to dominate the early stages and only the brilliance of Kevin Cuthbert prevented the vistors forging ahead, the Raith keeper producing outstanding saves from Robert Thomson, David Smith and Sam Stanton.

But Rovers withstood the onslaught and took the lead just before the half hour with a goal shrouded in controversy.

Striker Mark Stewart dispossessed Sons defender Gregor Buchanan on the right-hand touchline with a challenge which could best be described as robust and, with Buchanan screaming in vain for a foul, drove a low cross into the goalmouth leaving Ryan Hardie with the simple task of guiding the ball past Alan Martin.

Dumbarton equalised early in the second half when former Raith frontman Christian Nade directed his header beyond Cuthbert from Daniel Harvie’s cross.

Harvie then put the visitors in front with a superb individual goal in the 57th minute before Buchanan made sure of victory by tapping in from a corner six minutes later.

“The effects of Wednesday’s game (against Hearts in the Scottish Cup) took its toll,” said Locke.

“There were some tired legs in the second half.”