The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Raith’s hopes are left hanging by a thread as Queens take control
Rovers boss calls on players to take inspiration from Champions League
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn insists his players only have to look at this season’s jaw-dropping Champions League drama for inspiration in their bid to overturn a 3-1 first leg defeat to Queen of the South.
The Doonhamers seized control with first half Lyndon Dykes and Connor Murray strikes before Raith defender Euan Murray headed into his own net after the break.
But Dave McKay’s 86th minute strike has given the Fife outfit a glimmer hope of sealing a Championship place at Queens’ expense when they travel to Dumfries for Saturday’s play-off final second leg.
And after Liverpool and Tottenham stunned Barcelona and Ajax, respectively, to reach the final of Europe’s elite competition, McGlynn is hoping his players can defy the odds.
McGlynn said: “We rallied at the end and got that goal and when you look at Champions League games recently, both Liverpool and Tottenham have come back. This is only half-time and anything can happen.
“That goal could be really important, 3-1 is a different proposition from 3-0 and they’re going away with that in the back of their minds.
“I don’t think it was a 3-1 and if it had been two each at half-time I don’t think anyone would have complained as we had two really good chances. We were one-nil down with the first chance they had and the second one is equally as poor.”
Raith went behind following Dykes’ ruthless strike in the 17th minute.
The Livingston-bound forward collected Iain Wilson’s pass and drove towards the box before firing an exquisite shot past the despairing hands of Dean Lyness.
The visitors doubled their lead five minutes later. Stephen Dobbie was the creator as the experienced marksman skinned McKay before cutting the ball back for Murray to strike home from inside the six-yard box.
Despite suffering two deflating blows in quick succession, Raith kept coming and Doonhamers goalkeeper Alan Martin was relieved when Michael Doyle came to his recuse to keep out Jamie Gullan’s effort on the line.
Calum Crane was then denied by Martin after being found by Gullan.
Queens extended their lead in the 75th minute courtesy of Murray’s own goal.
Fraser Aird’s deep free-kick was nodded back across by Darren Brownlie and Murray could only head into his own net with Dykes ready to pounce.
Raith looked down and out but McGlynn’s side gave themselves hope of a comeback after McKay slammed home an 86th minute strike after Murray’s cross had caused panic.
Former Dunfermline boss Allan Johnston, now in charge at Queens, said: “We are half-way there but there is still a long way to go – just look at the European results this season. Anything can happen in football.”
Attendance: 2,471.
Raith Rovers: Lyness, McKay, Davidson, Benedictus, Murray, Matthews, Wedderburn (Barjonas 71), Crane, Flanagan (McGuffie 82), Gullan (Duggan 82), Nisbet. Substitutes not used: Bowie, Buchanan, Watson, McGuff.
Queen of the South: Martin, Mercer, Marshall, Murray, Brownlie, Doyle, Jacobs, Dobbie (Aird 73), Todd (Stirling 82), Wilson, Dykes (McGrath 85). Substitutes not used: Mehmet, Maguire, Low, Fordyce.
Referee: David Munro.