First Division round-up: Davidson plays captain's role as Raith race clear at top of table

Raith Rovers topped the First Division after four games last season following a 2-0 win over great rivals Dunfermline at East End Park with eight points. This year they have reached the summit a game earlier and with a point more after a similar result - albeit on home soil this time.

The Kirkcaldy side now boast the only perfect record of played three and won three in the Scottish Football League.

The Fife derby attracted a healthy attendance of 6,169 and it remained goalless at half-time before Rovers were handed the chance to open the scoring five minutes into the second period.

Referee Stevie O'Reilly awarded a penalty after visiting goalkeeper Chris Smith had upended home striker John Baird. Baird has found the net five times this season already and took the spot kick himself, but Smith atoned for his error by pulling off a fantastic save.

Rather than let their heads go down Rovers kept pressing and although they enjoyed a let-off when Nicky Phinn's shot hit the bar for Dunfermline, they took the lead through Iain Davidson. The Raith club captain was making his return after a two-game league suspension when he came on as a substitute with 19 minutes left and he netted from close range within two minutes. Laurie Ellis headed home a Walker corner on 78 minutes to seal the win and put Raith boss John McGlynn in fine spirits.

McGlynn said: "This is a big result for us as it puts down a marker for the season and gives everyone confidence. It is early days and no-one here will be getting carried away."

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre was left feeling deflated saying: "I was looking for a better reaction from my players after their penalty miss and then after their goal but it never came. We need to show more character."

Falkirk appear to have put their opening day defeat to Dunfermline behind them as they won for the second week in succession without conceding a goal as Stirling Albion were seen off 3-0. It was a case of revenge for Falkirk for their Challenge Cup penalties defeat at the hands of Stirling last month but it looked like the player who broke their hearts that day, goalkeeper Scott Christie, would do the same again as the scoreline remained blank for an hour due largely to his excellence.

However, Christie was finally beaten when Marc Twaddle volleyed in with Mark Stewart and substitute Jack Compton adding further goals.

Falkirk manager Steven Pressley said: "The players continued to show belief in how the game should be played and that was great. Our first goal forced them to come out a bit and that led to the others."

Next up for Pressley's side is a trip to Dens Park to take on a Dundee side that is still not firing on all cylinders. They were held to a goalless draw by visitors Ross County in a game was lit up by a fierce Gary Harkin's first half free kick that rattled the bar and then fine saves in quick succession at both ends.

Morton manager Allan Moore enjoyed his first league win of the season as the Greenock men defeated Partick Thistle 2-0 at Cappielow. Stewart Kean netted from a Carlo Monti corner in the first half and Michael Tidser's free kick with three minutes left sealed the win.