Raith Rovers 1-1 Alloa Athletic, match report

Raith Rovers came from behind to claim a draw but will be disappointed that they did not collect all three points against Alloa Athletic.

Raith goal scorer Dougie Hill. Picture: Neil Doig

Scores: Raith Rovers - Hill (54); Alloa Athletic - Ferns (24)

The home side were booed off at half-time having trailed to Eddie Fern’s 23rd minute drive. But a vastly improved second half display produced an equaliser from the head of Dougie Hill.

Raith laid siege to Alloa goalkeeper Scott Bain’s goal but could not find a breakthrough that would have brought about their first victory in nine Championship outings.

Raith pressed in the opening stages but a lack of invention in the final third meant Wasps keeper Bain had little to do.

When the first shot on target arrived in the 23rd minute it generated the opening goal from the visitors.

Kevin Moon was dispossessed by Liam Lindsay as the Raith midfielder attempted to get Raith moving forward following a sliced clearance by goalkeeper Lee Robinson that failed to make it out of their own half.

Ferns ran on to Lindsay’s pass and tucked a low right-footed shot into the corner of the net from 18 yards.

The hosts, however, nullified Alloa’s opener in the 54th minute through Hill.

Joe Cardle’s corner looked to be harmlessly drifting beyond the far post but Hill somehow managed to loop a header into the far corner over keeper Bain and Stephen Simmons.

Raith were a changed team after the break as they exhibited all the fighting attributes that their first half display lacked.

Cardle tested Bain with a low drive after the keeper’s attempted clearance landed at the winger’s feet.

Alloa midfielder Graeme Holmes was then well-placed to keep out substitute Calum Elliot’s close range shot on the line.

Raith dominated the final stages and Bain was alert to tip a Ross Callachan effort over.

Raith Rovers: Robinson, Thomson, Ellis, Hill, Booth, Anderson, Moon, Callachan, Cardle, Baird, Smith (Elliot 67). Subs not used: Fox, Spence, Donaldson, Mullen, Vaughan, Laidlaw.

Alloa Athletic: Bain, Doyle, Meggatt, Gordon, Lindsay, Simmons, Cawley, McCord, Ferns (Kirk 75), Holmes, Tiffoney (Caddis 65). Subs not used: Young, Caldwell, Flannigan, Riordan, McDowall.