Jai Rowe's goal earned Raith Rovers a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to league leaders Stenhousemuir on Saturday. The result keeps Dougie Imrie's side second in the William Hill Championship, two points behind their opponents with 21 points from 11 games, having recorded six wins, three draws and two losses this season.
Michael Anderson gave Stenhousemuir the lead in the 20th minute, finishing an assist from S. Young. Rowe responded immediately after the restart, levelling the score just 46 seconds into the second half with a strike set up by A. Lyall. The quick equaliser changed the momentum of a match where Stenhousemuir had created more clear chances.
Both managers made multiple changes as they searched for a winner. Imrie introduced P. McMullan for K. Montagu at halftime, while Stenhousemuir's Marvin Bartley made a double switch after 67 minutes. The game saw three yellow cards, with Stenhousemuir's L. Grant and Raith's K. Turner booked simultaneously in the 56th minute and S. Young cautioned late on. The hosts recorded four shots on target to Raith's two, but the visitors' defence held firm.
"It was always going to be a difficult place to come," said Imrie after the match.
The draw extends Raith Rovers' recent sequence against Stenhousemuir to three consecutive 1-1 stalemates. It was Stenhousemuir's second draw of the season, with both coming against Raith Rovers. The point maintains Raith's position in the automatic promotion places, with a goal difference of plus nine from 16 goals scored and seven conceded this campaign. This result is part of a recent form of two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five outings, following matches against Queen's Park, Morton, Livingston and Partick.
Stenhousemuir manager Marvin Bartley commented on his team's missed opportunities.
Attention now turns to a key home fixture against Inverness Caledonian Thistle next Saturday 24 October. Inverness sit fourth in the standings, having lost 2-0 to Raith Rovers in their last meeting in early September. Raith will look to build on a strong home record as they prepare to face another top-four rival.
