Kyle’s ‘Tom Forsyth’ moment keeps Rovers in play-offs spot
PARTICK THISTLE 0 RAITH ROVERS 1 Poplatnik (90)
Raith Rovers produced two moments of late magic to keep their promotion play-off hopes alive with Stark’s Park manager John Mcglynn delighted that skipper Kyle Benedictus produced a “Tom Forsyth” moment.
Matej Poplatnik slid in the only goal late on with Benedictus producing a crucial, timely tackle in injury time to deny the Jags an equaliser and an almost untouchable lead in the top-four chase.
Mcglynn’s side are now three points behind the Maryhill men with the Fifers’ boss comparing Benedictus’s challenge to one made by the former Rangers and Scotland full-back.
“Matej came up with the goal, however Kyle’s tackle was incredible,” said Mcglynn. “It was like Tom Forsyth’s on England’s Mick Channon all those years ago.
“We are delighted with the win.
“We have had a few late knocks in games so it is good to score late on.”
The Kirkcaldy men threatened on eight minutes and came close to an early opener when Sam Stanton released Ben Williamson on the left and his 20-yard drive flashed into the side-netting.
Thistle responded quickly with Ciaran Mckenna swinging over a cross at the second attempt that provided an opportunity for Alex Jakubiak, who volleyed only inches wide of the target.
Thistle went close again on 34 minutes when Jakubiak wriggled free on the right and when his cross was deflected high into the air Brian Graham nodded for goal but Raith keeper Jamie Macdonald showed safe hands as he got down to clutch the ball.
Thistle had one last attempt at opening the scoring before the half-time whistle.
Stephen Hendrie whipped in a free-kick that was met by a header from Graham. However, once again he was denied by the experienced Macdonald who dived to his left to push the ball away to safety.
Seven minutes after the restart, Thistle goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon was called into action to produce a fine, one-handed stop to thwart a fierce, swerving drive from the edge of the box by Reghan Tumilty.
Visiting substitute Dario Zanatta was only an inch away from making an instant impact as he looked to convert a trundling Aidan Connolly cross with the ball just evading his outstretched boot.
With eight minutes to go Graham lofted a pass into the path of Juan Alegria who had darted behind the visiting defence. The substitute allowed the ball to bounce before sending a shot fizzing across Macdonald’s goal but it was wide of the mark. Raith then threw players forward as they looked for the win they needed.
And it paid off in the final minute of regulation time when Connolly worked his way down the left and his low cross was perfect for Poplatnik to slam home from six yards.
In injury time Benedictus slid in to take the ball away from Graham just as he was going to slam it into the net.
Disappointed Thistle manager Ian Mccall said: “One goal seems to win games at Firhill now and unfortunately we never got it.
“It does not feel like it just now but our destiny is still in our hands.”
PARTICK TH:
(4-3-3) Sneddon 7 - Mckenna 6, Akinola 6 (Crawford 46, 5), Holt 7, Hendrie 7 - Docherty 7, Mayo 6, Bannigan 6 - Jakubiak 7 (Alegria 72,3), Graham 6, Tiffoney 8. Unused substitutes – Firth (G/k), Turner, Smith, Bell, Murray, Stanway, Mcallister. RAITH:
(4-4-2) Macdonald 7, Tumilty 7, Mckay 7, Benedictus 7, Musonda 6, - Connolly 8, Matthews 6, Stanton 7 (Spencer 85, 2), Ross 6 (Varian 69,4), Williamson 7 (Zanatta 69, 4) Poplatnik 7. Unused substitutes – Thomson (G/k), Arnott, Young.