Tade volley rescues point for Rovers

Published on Tuesday 22 March 2011 20:45

Raith Rovers 1 Tade (55) Ross County 1 Flynn (49)

RAITH Rovers saw their promotion credentials tested to the limits as they failed to get the home win they needed to strengthen their grip at the summit of the First Division.

Starting nervously on a night when Fife rivals Dunfermline dropped two points away to Dundee, the Stark's Park men were forced to draw on all their resolve after going behind to a tidy Ross County team. Jonathan Flynn's near-post header three minutes after the restart stunned the Kirkcaldy outfit but Gregory Tade snatched a quick-fire equaliser for Rovers only six minutes later.

Try as they might, however, John McGlynn's side could not find the winner that would have restored their four-point advantage at the top.

County's breakthrough came when an excellent set-piece delivery from Richie Brittain found defender Flynn steaming in at the front post to find the roof of the net with a powerful header.

The Stark's Park men were not behind for long as they burst to life with the equaliser. Craig Wilson's long diagonal was nodded into the six-yard box by Dougie Hill and, when it was only partially cleared by the County defence, Tade reacted quickest to volley in from ten yards out.

A John Baird drive was saved and then hit the bar and Allan Walker struck a post with the rebound as Raith chased a winner.

Raith Rovers: McNeil, Craig Wilson, Campbell, Murray, Hill (Dyer 76), Walker, Davidson, Simmons (Ferry 15), McBride, Baird (Wales 82), Tade. Subs not used: McGurn, Weir.

Ross County: McGovern, Marr, Lawson, Boyd, Fitzpatrick, Milne, Flynn, Vigurs, Gardyne (Corcoran 83), Brittain, Barrowman. Subs not used: Malin, Wood, Miller, Morrison.

Referee: S Finnie. Attendance: 1,639