Raith Rovers 2 - 1 Stirling Albion: Baird keeps Rovers' title bid on track

Published on Friday 25 February 2011 18:53

IF RAITH Rovers are to seal their return to the SPL this season it appears they are not going to make life easy for themselves.

Going into this top versus bottom meeting with three defeats in their preceding five matches, and with Falkirk and Fife rivals Dunfermline pushing them hard, the Stark's Park outfit needed the comfort of a victory to prove their recent promotion jitters have been temporary and not terminal.

Having failed to earn the breakthrough in a whirlwind start, in which they forced four corners in the opening four minutes, the league leaders finally got the opening goal they were so desperate for 11 minutes from the interval.

Another wonderful Allan Walker corner found skipper Grant Murray rising highest and the veteran powered his header over the line despite the attempts of on-loan Hibs youngster Sean Welsh and Albion keeper Scott Christie on the line.

Any hopes of a second-half cruise were dashed only seven minutes after the interval, however, when Stirling striker Gordon Smith, on loan from Hearts, pierced the home rearguard with a run and finish which showcased his undoubted talent.

However, just as the tension was getting to the home fans and players, they snatched the three points their championship hopes required.

Mark Campbell nodded Walker's free-kick back into the mix and John Baird's back-post header was adjudged to have crossed the line before Christie grabbed it.