Ramsdens Cup: Raith Rovers 2 - 1 Cowdenbeath: Blue Brazil fail to replicate pre-season form

RAITH Rovers defied pre-season form to reach the second round of the Ramsdens Cup with a narrow victory.

Raith failed to register a single pre-season win, while Cowdenbeath - relegated from the First Division last season - took the scalps of SPL trio Hearts, Dundee United and St Mirren.

But John Baird's second-half double ensured Rovers progressed.

"This was a potential banana skin," said Rovers manager John McGlynn. "The form Cowdenbeath showed in pre-season was exceptional. It's a cup we've not done particularly well in so we're delighted to have got through."

Baird got on the end of Joe Hamill's cross in the 51st minute and then tapped in an easy second in the 77th minute after Hamill's left-footed half volley struck the post.

Substitute Lewis Coult notched a consolation for the Blue Brazil three minutes later.

Cowdenbeath manager Colin Cameron said: "We looked a wee bit leggy and some of the boys said that they felt the game against St Mirren on Tuesday night took a lot out of them."