RAITH ROVERS 2 Hendry (pen 17, pen, 49) FALKIRK 0
Raith and Falkirk put their promotion aspirations temporarily on hold to battle it out for a place in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup and it was the Fifers who marched on to the next stage of the tournament courtesy of two penalty strikes by former Celtic youth player Regan Hendry.
“It was a close game” acknowledged Raith manager John McGlynn. “Falkirk maybe had more of the ball but we penetrated well and that’s why we got the penalties which won the game for us.
“We controlled the game and defended well which was pleasing after losing four goals last week.”
Both sides took time to settle during the opening stages and, after some uneventful sparring in the Fife sunshine, the deadlock was broken after 17 minutes, Hendry scoring from the spot following a clumsy challenge on Michael Miller by Falkirk defender Mark Durnan.
The visitors were well ahead, possession-wise, in the aftermath of the goal but created little in the way of scoring chances, although Gregor Buchanan did come close when he fired into the side-netting from close range.
Bairns keeper Robbie Mutch saved well from Miller’s header as Rovers endeavoured to increase their advantage before half-time but the Kirkcaldy side edged further ahead just four minutes after the interval with their second penalty of the afternoon.
Referee Greg Aitken pointed to the spot after Ian McShane tripped Dylan Tait and Hendry drove home the resultant award to give Raith a commanding lead.
Substitute Lewis Vaughan, back in action after several months on the sidelines through injury, struck the bar with a stunning 30 yard free kick.
“We started brightly” said disappointed Falkirk boss Ray McKinnon. “Then gave way a silly penalty which put us on the back foot.”