Stewart seals it as Raith claim bragging rights

Substitute makes sure as Rovers stay top of the Championship

Supporters of both clubs have had to bide their time to renew their rivalry but Mark Stewart admitted he was a man in a hurry as he sealed Raith a wildly celebrated victory over Dunfermline.

It was a full-blooded 90 minutes packed with incident, played out in front of a fervent crowd that delighted in the first Fife derby in the league for almost three-and-a-half years.

Aside from a couple of Challenge Cup ties, Dunfermline’s descent into administration in 2013 and their three years languishing in League One have robbed Scottish football of a fixture that competes with the country’s other neighbourhood squabbles in its intensity.

At the end, it was the home side who earned their fans the local bragging rights with a win that keeps them top of the Championship table.

A breakthrough goal after 70 minutes from Bobby Barr, netting his first since joining the club in the summer, looked likely to prove crucial but Stewart sprang from the bench to make sure with a superb second eight minutes later.

The former Falkirk and Dundee striker missed pre-season preparations through injury and has seen Lewis Vaughan and Declan McManus steal in front of him in the pecking order.

And, for all his patience and professionalism in waiting for his chance, the 28-year-old was thrilled to make an instant impact just two minutes after his introduction to ensure Rovers made it three wins from three in the league.

“It’s always nice to score, especially having just come on and when it wrapped the game up,” he said. “It was a good goal and I’m just happy that we won and we keep up the maximum points.

“Obviously, the boys have been doing well and I’ve found myself out of the team, which can be frustrating. But you just need to be professional and be ready to change the game when you go on – and you’ve always got a point to prove.

“You can only be professional, work hard during the week and wait on your chance.

“A striker doesn’t always have to start games, he can come on and change the game. I’ve done it plenty of times during my career. You don’t mope about it, you’re professional, support your teammates and be ready to change the game when you come on and make an impact. “That’s what I did and I’m delighted.” The match had swung from end to end relentlessly from the first whistle, with each team enjoying spells of dominance before Barr cut in single-mindedly from the right to arrow a left-foot drive low beyond David Hutton’s despairing dive.

Then came Stewart’s clinching second, brilliantly feinting to send his marker diving in before curling a magnificent shot into the top corner.

Dunfermline had travelled across the kingdom full of hope after an openingday victory over Dumbarton and an impressive display in losing away to Hibs, but winger Joe Cardle admits the League One champions now have to cope with unchartered territory in the Championship.

“We’ve lost the last two games and I don’t think we did that at all last season,” he said, though they did lose back-toback once the title had been won. “It’s a whole new level for us, so we’ve got to get ourselves together. I’m sure we will.

“We’ve got to remain positive. We’ve still got a strong team, with young boys with a lot of quality, and we need to look to next week and push on.”

Picture: Craig Brown. Mark Stewart watches as his shot beats Pars keeper David Hutton to give Rovers a 2-0 lead.

Mark Stewart: has fallen down the pecking order this season with Rovers, but took his chance after coming off the bench.