Raith Rovers can’t just win a game in a normal manner.
After leading against 10-man Queen’s Park, they somehow conspired to go behind before two late goals from second-half substitute Lewis Vaughan secure all three points.
Rovers are now joint top of the Scottish Championship with Dundee United after leapfrogging their opponents.
⚽Raith Rovers v Queen's Park
🏆 Scottish Championship
📍Stark's Park pic.twitter.com/MaIcRZYNKp— Craig Cairns (@craigcairns001) September 2, 2023
Callum Smith sent them on their way with an early header before Will Tizzard was sent off for Queen’s Park.
Goals from Jack Turner and Dom Thomas put Robin Veldman’s side in the driving seat but goals in the 86th and 94th minute saved the day.
Raith Rovers edge ahead as Queen’s Park reduced to 10 men
Scott McGill continued at left-back despite the return of Liam Dick from suspension, as Rovers kept the same XI that started their Fife derby victory.
McGill justified his selection minutes into the game when he cleared off the line – the chance a result of a patient passing move from Queen’s Park.
Before that, Rovers hadn’t let the pre-kick-off switch of ends affect them and flew out the traps, going close through Keith Watson, but his effort was deflected over the bar.
They were ahead in the ninth minute when Smith headed in Sam Stanton’s cross. The 23-year-old forward has now scored or assisted in each of the last four matches.
CALLUM SMITH OPENS THE SCORING pic.twitter.com/T1bdaJD6vg
— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) September 2, 2023
Smith could have had a second when he continued his habit of taking advantage of slack play. He intercepted Charlie Fox’s pass across defence but was snuffed out before his finish.
Young Queen’s Park goalkeeper had to make two saves in quick succession – from Jack Hamilton and then Josh Mullin – after the visitors failed to deal with a long ball.
Rovers were then handed a further advantage when Will Tizzard was sent off for pulling back Hamilton on the halfway line.
🟥Queen's Park down to 10 men – Tizzard sent off for pulling Hamilton back at the halfway line when he looked to have been through on goal.
— Craig Cairns (@craigcairns001) September 2, 2023
Referee Duncan Williams thought about it before brandishing the red card, despite the presence of covering defender Fox. Midfielder Joe Thomson then dropped into centre-back.
Queen’s Park comeback, but Raith snatch a winner
Jamie Gullan emerged at half-time instead of Hamilton and was involved quickly, setting up an attack that ended in another McKenna save, this time from Smith.
Queen’s Park stuck to their principles and somehow managed to turn the game on its head.
They were sent on their way when Kevin Dabrowski made a terrible error when coming for a long ball and allowed Turner the time to control and pass it into the gaping goal.
Minutes later Mullin went close to restoring the home side’s lead, but the atmosphere dampened further when Thomas fired Queen’s in front.
Dabrowski redeemed himself for his error with a great save from marksman Ruari Paton after a mistake from McGill but could do nothing as he watched Thomas finish the rebound.
By that point, Dylan Easton and Liam Dick had been waiting to come on and he wasted no time getting involved, forcing two saves from McKenna.
Dick then made his contribution, crossing for Vaughan to head in his third goal of the season and rescue a point.
OH MY WORD LEWIS VAUGHAN pic.twitter.com/apiTrZc4uW
— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) September 2, 2023
The pressure built and built until Vaughan dramatically won all three points with his headed second.
Line-ups
Raith Rovers (4-2-3-1): Dabrowski; Millen, Murray (Ross 82′), Watson, McGill (Dick 73′); Brown, Byrne; Mullin (Easton 73′), Stanton (Vaughan 62′), Smith; Hamilton (Gullan 45′). Subs not used: Thomson, Arnott, Masson, Hannah.
Queen’s Park (4-3-3): McKenna; McPherson, Tizzard, Fox, Robson (Bruce 79′); Thomson (McLeish 90′), Spong, Turner (Bannon 79′); Hepburn (Longridge 45′), Paton, Thomas (Jarrett 79′). Subs not used: Ferrie, Reid, Waugh, McCormick.
Referee: Duncan Williams
