Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Raith gaffer stunned after Lichties deliver ‘punch in the gut’
IAN Murray admits losing to Arbroath was a “punch in the gut” for Raith Rovers.
Title-chasing Rovers were 2-0 up thanks to goals from Zak Rudden and Josh Mullin and cruising at Gayfield, apparently destined for three points that would have sent them to the top of the Championship, ahead of Dundee United.
But Arbroath scored three goals through Jay Bird, Leighton McIntosh and Mark Stowe in 16 second half minutes to claim a stunning victory for themselves.
Kirkcaldy boss Murray admits the defeat came as a body blow for his side.
But he insists there is a long way to go until the destination of the title is decided.
“There’s loads of football still to be played. It’s going to change all the time,” he said.
“It’s going to go four, five six weeks yet.
“We have to remain calm and put some perspective on it. Tonight’s a disappointment, don’t get me wrong, it’s a body blow for us, we’ve been punched in the gut.
“But we have to get ourselves going again. It’s a big derby for us next week. Win that, see what happens elsewhere, then see where we are in four or five weeks.
“We had an opportunity tonight to give ourselves a really big breathing space to Partick Thistle and put a little pressure on Dundee United.
“At 2-0 to us United are sitting in the house thinking the pressure’s on them, but now they’ll go to Firhill full of confidence, buoyant, looking to pull away.”
Lichties boss Jim McIntyre was thrilled with the win: “It’s amazing, the old saying, about goals changing games, because they gave us that belief. This could be a vital three points to kick-start us.”