Macgregor (80) RAITH ROVERS 0
Billy Dodds praised matchwinner Roddy Macgregor for responding to being dropped in the best possible way.
The 19-year-old midfielder wowed the Caley Thistle faithful with a late wonder goal to send his team joint top of the Championship.
After two wins and two clean sheets, new manager at the Caledonian Stadium, Dodds, was delighted – and hailed Macgregor’s impact from the bench.
He said: “Roddy’s a top talent, the boy, and he was disappointed not to be playing.
“I’m just delighted for him because, when I leave people out of the team, that’s the response I want.”
Dodds admitted his team only just edged it and added: “I’ve said before, in this Championship, probably half a dozen times you’ll play well and win games.
“The rest you are digging – and my boys have given me everything.
“It wasn’t pretty at times and I always felt one goal would win it.”
Dodds had restored Michael Gardyne to his starting 11 after suspension, with only Macgregor stepping out of the side that beat Arbroath.
Raith were looking to recover from a spectacular four-goal collapse against Hamilton Accies.
With frontman Lewis Vaughan injured, Tom Lang came in as the extra body in a three-man defence.
The first half was a slow-burner and ended scoreless.
Before the break, Gardyne found Walsh twisting in front of goal, but flashing a volley only just wide.
Into the second half, a Shane Sutherland one-two with Gardyne ended with Jamie Macdonald holding the striker’s low attempt from 18 yards.
There was controversy as home keeper Ridgers bumped over substitute Ethon Varan outside his area with the goal empty, but was given only a booking for the offence
But it was the hosts who were celebrating a wonderful strike from substitute Macgregor with 10 minutes left.
Sutherland fed the ball forward at pace and Duku’s lay-off sat up perfectly for young Macgregor who connected sweetly with his shot and saw the ball fizz high past helpless Macdonald.
Disappointed Raith manager John Mcglynn refused to be drawn on the Ridgers incident, but said: “It was a wonder strike that won the game.
“There was nothing in it.”