Raith Rovers 2-2 Cowdenbeath: Fife rivals serve up an entertaining encounter

Scorers: Raith Rovers: Hill (50); Spence (53); Cowdenbeath: Milne (9); Stevenson pen (42)

The 4-4 draw between the sides in October was a truly remarkable meeting, providing entertainment and absurdity in equal measures.

Yesterday’s reprise of that fixture at Stark’s Park may not have provided quite the same spectacle but, once more, these Fife rivals served up a thoroughly engaging affair.

Ultimately, just like earlier this term, the spoils were shared, but few would have foreseen that outcome after a first half in which the Blue Brazil were dominant, and turned that supremacy into a comfortable lead at the break.

It took Cowdenbeath just ten minutes to claim the lead in Kirkcaldy, owing largely to an unwanted assist from Raith captain Allan Walker. Under pressure in midfield, the Stark’s Park skipper played a lax pass towards his own goalkeeper which was intercepted by Marc McKenzie, who calmly found Lewis Milne to slot the ball into the corner from 18 yards.

That lead was doubled after Jamie Stevenson was scythed down by Laurie Ellis in the box. The defender escaped a red card, but Stevenson smashed home the spot kick.

Colin Cameron’s men have not won a league match since 1 September, and it became clear why as the second period began. Rovers emerged with intensity and attacking impetus, and the visitors seemed to wilt under the scrutiny, seceding their advantage in the space of three minutes.

Dougie Hill halved arrears after 50 minutes, rising highest to head powerfully home after a fine, inswinging David Smith delivery before the game was levelled moments later. A fine passing move involving Smith and Brian Graham saw former Celtic kid Greig Spence scampering through on goal, and his finish was unerring from 12 yards.