Raith Rovers 1-0 Livingston: Smith on target

John McGlynn’s return to Stark’s Park proved to be one to forget as ten-man Livingston succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in a volatile clash in Kirkcaldy last night, as the home side claimed a comfortable triumph in an ill-tempered affair.

Match winner: Gordon Smith. Picture: Neil Doig

Scorer: Raith Rovers - Smith (21)

Callum Booth and Gordon Smith had both seen early chances splendidly saved by Darren Jamieson before Rovers finally took a deserved lead. Goalkeeper Jamieson rushed from his penalty area in an attempt to intercept a fairly aimless long ball, but succeeded only in crashing into his team-mate, Coll Donaldson, allowing Smith to roll into an empty net.

Controversy then erupted when Raith front-man Calum Elliot, who reneged on an agreement to join Livingston in the close season, tumbled after 33 minutes under a Jason Talbot challenge and, after consulting his assistant, referee Alan Muir pointed to the spot. However, Elliot’s spot-kick was saved by Jamieson.

Moments later Elliot crashed to the ground under the challenge of Danny Denholm. Much to the fury of the visitors, the Livingston winger was shown a straight red card and Raith held on to move to within two points of leaders Hamilton.

Raith Rovers: Laidlaw, Thomson, Paul Watson, Ellis, Booth, Anderson (Callachan 89), Fox, Moon, Cardle, Smith (Spence 71), Elliot. Subs not used: Roberts, McCann, Hill, Donaldson, Vaughan.

Livingston: Jamieson, Donaldson, Mensing, Fordyce, Talbot, Jacobs, O’Brien, Denholn, Wilkie (Scott 55), Scougall (McDonald 79), McNulty (Lander 71). Subs not used: Praprotnik, Beaumont, Walker, Mullen.

Att: 1,304.

Referee: A Muir.