MATCH STATS
RAITH ROVERS 2 Easton (2), Gullan (74)
Goals in either half gave Rovers a deserved win in the New Douglas Park sunshine and extended Accies’ disappointing start to the season.
Dylan Easton’s opener and a clincher from Jamie Gullan left Raith boss Ian Murray delighted.
He said: “We dominated because we were so aggressive.
“We were in their faces which was a really important part of this week’s training – trying to drill in the players the tempo and the intensity we will need to be at every week in this league because it’s so competitive and physical but we have players with real quality.”
Rovers made a dream start with a goal from the first attack of the match, Aidan Connolly taking possession on the right before spraying a lovely ball to Easton.
The striker took a couple of touches and fired into the bottom corner, leaving Ryan Fulton helpless.
Accies almost hit back on 10 minutes but Steve Lawson’s freekick rose just too high.
Both teams were struggling to fashion sustained pressure and a few feisty challenges flew in as frustration got the better of both teams.
Raith keeper Jamie MacDonald was finally brought into action to deal with a Jean-Pierre Tiehi header.
MacDonald has a busy spell as Accies searched for an equaliser before the break, the keeper denying Reegan Mimnaugh and Andy Winter in quick succession.
At the other end Connell could have doubled Raith’s lead on the stroke of half-time with a shot that sneaked inches wide. Connolly and Easton had efforts saved as the visitors started the second period on the front foot but Accies responded with a Jonny Ngandu shot that flew just wide.
Raith secured the points on 74 minutes when Hamilton failed to deal with Easton’s cross into the box and Gullan fastened onto the loose ball to drill into the net.
There was little response from Accies in the closing stages with the home side staying just a point off the foot of the table.
Home boss John Rankin admitted: “We weren’t brave enough and we didn’t get far enough up the pitch.
“They booed us off at half-time and full-time and quite rightly so – it wasn’t good enough.”
Easton proved crucial for Raith – the star man’s goal gave Rovers a cushion before he turned provider with the cross that led to the clincher.