Raith Rovers 2 - 1 Partick Thistle: Baird seals first win in nine for Raith

Published on Sunday 26 February 2012 02:51

What a difference 12 months makes. This time last year Raith Rovers were pushing rivals Dunfermline all the way for promotion to the SPL, but this victory – their first in nine attempts – was all about survival in the First Division.

Confidence was clearly low in the home ranks, with the chilling possibility of going bottom, depending on results elsewhere, appearing to play on minds early on.

So, there was no surprise when Partick took the lead in the 28th minute. Stephen O’Donnell was granted too much space on the right and Kris Doolan turned in the full-back’s cut-back via a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Laurie Ellis.

Raith then found a brilliant equaliser out of the blue after the break. Allan Walker’s free-kick looked too long but Brian Graham speared a stunning volley past Scott Fox from the apex of the six-yard box.

Thistle midfielder Paul Paton was sent-off on the advice of the main-stand linesman Stephen Allan for an apparent off-the-ball clash with Graham and Raith took advantage with a 72nd-minute winner.

Willie Dyer’s ball in from the left was allowed to bounce and John Baird looped a superb header over the stranded Fox.

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