Raith sent rivals a message in derby win, insists Murray

RAITH ROVERS manager Ian Murray believes a first league victory at Dunfermline in 14 years will be viewed as a ‘statement’ by their Championship rivals.

Sam Stanton’s first-half header was enough to earn Rovers Fife derby bragging rights in front of a raucous crowd of over 7,500 at East End Park.

Murray was proud of his players after they managed to fend off intense second-half pressure from Dunfermline to pick up all the spoils.

And after moving within two points of early leaders Queen’s Park, Murray believes other teams will have taken notice of this result.

The Raith manager said: ‘I didn’t know it had been that long since we won here in the league but all these things add up at the end of the day.

‘It’s another three points but it can mean more than that with the mentality we’re building.

‘I would not say it was a statement from us, I think other teams might look at it as a statement.

‘We know we can win games and have a decent squad and good players but we also know this league is really difficult.

‘Many teams will fancy their chances of the play-offs and we’re no different and we’ll see where we are around Christmas time, February time.’

It was the home side that created the first meaningful chance after 12 minutes.

Raith keeper Kevin Dabrowski flapped at Lewis McCann’s cross and defender Aaron Comrie got on the end of the rebound.

But Dabrowski got back up in time to push his effort on to the post. From the resulting corner Pars midfielder Ewan Otoo flashed a low drive just wide.

Raith were tidy in possession but it was Dunfermline who looked more dangerous in the final third.

Joe Chalmers did well to create space for himself outside the area but the midfielder’s curling low effort was pushed behind by the outstretched Dabrowski.

It was Rovers who stormed ahead nine minutes before the break.

Callum Smith charged down Otoo’s attempted clearance by the corner flag and his cross to the near post was flicked into the net by the head of Stanton.

Dunfermline started the second period with greater urgency and Michael O’Halloran came within inches of connecting with a Craig Wighton cross.

Stanton should have doubled his tally for the day after going clean through but he had a low shot saved by Harry Sharp.

At the other end, Josh Edwards’ cross was just missed by Comrie and O’Halloran could not get the ball out of his feet quick enough at the back post.

Raith defender Euan Murray then threw himself in the way of a McCann shot inside the area.

Pars boss James McPake said: ‘We’re disappointed to lose the game. First half, we weren’t at the levels we’re used to seeing from that team.

‘Raith in the first half, without really creating too much, were the better side. They got after the ball a lot better than us. They looked that wee bit better.

‘First half, we were nowhere near it — whether that’s down to them or us, I don’t know.

‘Second half we were a lot better, a lot more like ourselves. We tried everything to get the ball but we couldn’t.’