TABLES TURNED
Rock-bottom Arbroath hit back in style to stop Raith going top
ARBROATH put a dent in Raith’s promotion push and gave their hopes of beating the drop a boost with a stunning comeback win.
Jim McIntyre pleaded for his red Lichties to build a winning mindset after a midweek Hampden demolishing.
And the manager’s message was heard loud and clear as they came from 2-0 down to salvage a 3-2 win at home to title-chasing rovers.
McIntyre said: “It’s easy to say guys have character when you’re winning games.
“The players had their character questioned by me and probably themselves along with every fan that was at Hampden. But they’ve shown a willingness to go and fight and deserve great credit.
“I’m delighted to get the win, we can only affect what we can affect.”
Arbroath came out fighting from the 6-0 embarrassment at Queens Park as the Gayfield gaffer made five changes including bringing in on-loan Hibs keeper Max Boruc.
Ian Murray changed his whole raith frontline as he made six alterations.
The away side were rewarded for a smart start after 26 minutes as they scored the opener.
Zak rudden played a quick one-two with Kyle Turner and the striker poking the ball into the bottom left corner.
raith added what looked a killer second six minutes after the restart. rudden’s cross was met by Lewis Vaughan who sent a deflected shot goalwards that was parried by Derek Gaston before Josh Mullin headed into an empty net.
Arbroath pulled one back just after the break. Mark Stowe found Jay Bird who lashed a drive past rovers keeper Kevin Dabrowski.
Supersub Stowe was proving a menace for the raith defence and with 20 minutes left he was the provider for Leighton McIntosh to jump in front of the keeper and nod home.
The former Linlithgow winger had one more trick up his sleeve as he gave Arbroath the lead with 13 minutes left.
Connor Teale’s inital effort was blocked before Stowe guided the subsequent shot home to the delight of the home crowd.
raith lacked any intensity in the later stages of the match. There were a few cross balls but they were gathered with ease by the home defence as Arbroath earned the result they fought so hard for.
Rovers boss Murray said: “It was individual mistakes. The third goal is bad as we have five attempts to clear.
“Dundee United are probably sitting in the house at 2-0 thinking, ‘The pressure’s all on us’ but they’ll now go top Firhill full of confidence.
“Key moments in the game have cost us tonight and at various points over the season. Our decision-making and game knowledge let us down.”