Raith Rovers will take a precious lead to Easter Road on Saturday in the second leg of the Premiership quarter-final after this narrow but dramatic win over Hibs.
The Kirkcaldy side rode their luck on the night with the Edinburgh outfit bossing much of play but they passed up a succession of chances and ultimately paid the price.
Raith boss Ray McKinnon made an inspired second-half substitution with Louis Longridge and Harry Panayiotou combining with the latter netting what proved to be the winner on the night.
It capped what had been an incredible week for the on-loan Leicester City striker and his counter ensured it is all to play for Saturday lunchtime in the capital.
McKinnon, who has been heavily linked with the vacant managerial hot-seat at Tannadice this week, made just one change from the team that won at Livingston at the weekend, with Kyle Benedictus returning from suspension at the expense of Longridge who dropped to the bench.
That victory on Sunday extended Rovers’ unbeaten run to 11 games and they certainly took that momentum into the start of this game, making a brisk opening with a couple of hefty early challenges showing that Raith would not let their opponents settle.
Rovers had the first half chance of the game in the sixth minute when Aiden Connolly hit a snap shot which was easily gathered by Hibs stopper Conrad Logan, then shortly after, the Edinburgh side had an opportunity of their own when Jason Cummings hit a fierce angled drive which home keeper Kevin Cuthbert did well to turn away at his near post.
Hibs had another chance in the 11th minute when Marvin Bartley tried his luck with a low shot from the edge of the Rovers penalty area but Cuthbert gathered at the second attempt.
Alan Stubbs’ side continued to press and Lewis Stevenson hit a 14-yard shot just wide of Cuthbert’s left-hand post.
Raith came storming back, though, and they came mighty close in the 19th minute when Ross Callachan played a cut-back to James Craigen who hit a vicious first-time effort just over Logan’s bar from 18 yards.
Hibs then had arguably the best opportunity of the game so far in the 28th minute when Fraser Fyvie sent a tempting cross in from the right towards Anthony Stokes but the on-loan Celtic striker could only guide his header into Cuthbert’s arms when he really should have tested the keeper.
The visitors continued knocking at the Raith door and Liam Fontaine was next to have a great chance but the defender scooped the ball over the bar.
Then in the 40th minute, Rovers’ hearts were in their mouths when John McGinn played a delightful ball over the home defence to Cummings but with just the keeper to beat, the striker sent a lobbed effort sailing over the bar.
However, at half-time the scores remained level much to the home side’s relief.
The start of the second-half followed a similar pattern to the opening 45, with Hibs dominating possession and territory.
Cuthbert was tested once more in the 56th minute when he had to look lively to snuff out the danger from a whipped-in Stokes’ free-kick from the Hibs’ left.
As the game entered the final 30 minutes, McKinnon must have been increasingly concerned that his players were sitting further and further back inviting Hibs onto them with another Stokes’ free-kick flashing narrowly wide of Cuthbert’s far post.
However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute – by Rovers.
They forced two corners in quick succession with sub Longridge sending both in from the left. The first was cleared but the second was met at the Hibs near post by fellow replacement Panayiotou, who powered a header past Logan.
The Hibees keeper came to the rescue shortly after when he saved a fierce Longridge shot.
With choruses of “there’s only one Ray McKinnon” rolling down from the Stark’s Park stands, the clock ticked down and Rovers held on to secure their precious victory.
Attendance – 5,330.
Raith Rovers – Cuthbert, Thomson, Callachan, Toshney, Benedictus, Davidson, Hardie (Stewart, 90), Connolly (Panayioutou, 64), McKeown, Craigen (Longridge, 64), Barr.
Subs not used – Law, Anderson, Bates, Robertson.
Hibs – Logan, Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine (Henderson, 85), Bartley, Fyvie (McGeouch, 80), Stevenson, McGinn, McGregor, Stokes, Cummings (Keatings, 80).
Subs not used – Oxley, Gunnarsson, Boyle, Dagnall
Referee – Kevin Clancy.
