Arbroath recovered from letting a two-goal lead slip to find a late winner at Stark’s Park and earn a first win over Raith Rovers this term.
Scott Robinson’s neat finish nine minutes from time on his debut secured a 3-2 victory for the visitors, after Gavin Reilly and Dapo Mebude’s first half goals had been cancelled out by strikes from Scott Brown and Josh Mullin after the break.
The Lichties made three changes from last weekend’s defeat to league leaders St Johnstone, with Taylor Steven returning after being ineligible against his parent club, Jack Wilkie was back after suspension and Ryan Dow also took his place in the starting line-up. Jacob MacIntyre, Craig Watson and Victor Enem were the three to miss out.
Raith took just three minutes to fashion the first chance of the game, with a quick break working the ball out wide to Ewan Wilson whose cross was diverted over the bar by Jack Hamilton.
Chances were at a premium in the opening stages for both sides, but the deadlock was broken just shy of the half hour mark. Wilkie picked the ball up on the left-hand side before curling a wonderful cross beyond Mebude’s clever dummy to the unmarked Reilly, who took a touch before finding the net.
An action-packed minute soon after provided great chances at both ends, with Arbroath first going close to making it two. Mebude’s pressure won the ball back for Dow who cut it back for Reilly to fire goalwards, with Josh Rae and the goalpost keeping it out, before the home side got in behind down the other end and saw an effort flash across the face of goal from Paul McMullan.
Arbroath did find a second in first half stoppage time though, with Dow and Steven involved to pick out Scott Stewart on the right who unleashed a rocket of a shot which although Rae did parry, Mebude was on hand to nod home the loose ball and give the Lichties some breathing space.
That two goal lead lasted just seven minutes though, with Rovers halving the deficit soon after the break. A loose ball was knocked forward by Brown, despite claims of handball, before he sent a powerful strike into the top corner giving McAdams no chance.
It was the hosts looking the more likely and despite Arbroath holding firm for the most part, Rovers levelled it up on 68 minutes. Half-time substitute Mullin was sent through on goal with a brilliant pass through the middle and he showed great composure to send the ball beyond McAdams.
Arbroath’s character is one thing that hasn’t been questioned this season, and it was on show once more here as they moved in front once again with nine minutes remaining. Harry Cochrane’s brilliant pass picked out Robinson who stayed calm to roll the ball home and immediately introduce himself to the Lichties faithful.
Raith Rovers: Rae; Rowe, O’Connor, Hanlon, Wilson; Doherty, Brown (Gibson, 78); McMullan (Mullin, 46), Easton, Winter (Nsio, 78); Hamilton (Chin, 46)
Arbroath: McAdams; Stewart, Muirhead, O’Brien, Wilkie; Cochrane (Callachan, 89), Marshall; Steven, Dow (Enem, 90+3), Mebude (Beadling, 63); Reilly (Robinson, 63)
Attendance: 3,108
