Vaughan bags treble at the double in Fife derby

A LEWIS Vaughan hat-trick in the space of 12 second-half minutes earned Raith Rovers a 3-0 win over Fife rivals Dunfermline Athletic at Stark’s Park.

In a pulsating tie, Raith were only level at half-time thanks to a breath-taking save from Robbie Thomson, who denied Myles Hillopyte the opening goal.

The turning point came when Dunfermline were reduced to 10 men early in the second half after Lee Ashcroft was sent off for fouling Chris Duggan as he raced in on goal.

Vaughan put Raith in front from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after Duggan had been fouled by Mark Durnan.

Vaughan netted his second when he dived to head home the second from Duggan’s cross to sink Dunfermline and then completed his hat-trick in the closing stages.

“It was a great result for us,” said Raith manager John McGlynn. “There was a special atmosphere at the game and we’re delighted to have come out on top.

“We had to dig in and defend well in the first half but the sending-off was the turning point. That gave us confidence, gaps opened up and we were able to capitalise.”

Queen of the South manager Gary Naysmith admitted to mixed emotions after his side’s 1-1 draw with Dundee at Dens Park.

“I thought we were in control of the game and Dundee scored with their only shot on target,” he said. “We’ve only had one defeat in 11 games and, as long as the players keep doing things well, I don’t think there’s any reason why we can’t win the replay.”

Queens looked more threatening and, early on, a net-bound header from top-scorer Stephen Dobbie was brilliantly saved by Dundee goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

Dobbie was not to be denied at the next attempt, but Dundee equalised before half time thanks to a fine individual effort from Jesse Curran.

Dundee United cruised to a 4-0 win at Montrose. Pavel Safranko headed United in front early on and Callum Booth doubled their advantage shortly before half time with a right-foot shot from 25 yards.

Billy King scored the third late on when he converted Nicky Clark’s cross and Ian Harkes completed the scoring in injury-time.

Partick Thistle had a rare win, taking care of Stranraer 4-1. Thistle took a 16th-minute lead when Aidan Fitzpatrick netted with a leftfoot shot after good work from Joe Cardle. Stranraer goalkeeper Max Currie made a string of fine saves to prevent Thistle from adding to their lead before half time.

But Cardle made it 2-0 early in the second half before PJ Crossan pulled a goal back almost immediately. But Steven Saunders headed the hosts’ third goal with Blair Spittal adding a fourth late on.

East Fife came from behind to beat Morton 2-1 after Bob McHugh scrambled the ball home early on before East Fife responded swiftly and Anton Dowds equalised moments later and Craig Watson put them through with a right-foot shot with 15 minutes left.

Inverness Caley Thistle eased to a 4-0 win over East Kilbride. Jordan White made the early breakthrough when he got on the end of an Aaron Doran cross to fire home then Doran doubled the lead with a 20-yard shot before Liam Polworth added the third.

Craig Reid turned the ball into his own net attempting to clear a Doran shot for the fourth goal.

There was a special atmosphere and we’re delighted to come out on top