Raith Rovers missed another opportunity to go top of the Championship as they were held in a Hampden stalemate by Queen’s Park.
In a game of few goalmouth opportunities, the Stark’s Park side could not find a way past the resolute home defence.
Spiders keeper Calum Ferrie pulled off two incredible saves in a grandstand finish from the Kirkcaldy men.
But, in the end, they could not take advantage of Dundee United’s defeat at Dunfermline as they pulled level on points – but behind the Tangerines on goal difference.
It ramps up the importance on the already-crucial meeting of the teams in a fortnight’s time.
One back and one out
There was good news earlier in the week when experienced stopper Keith Watson returned to training after a groin problem.
But, with Raith having kept two clean sheets without him, the 34-year-old was named amongst the substitutes.
However, there was no place in the squad for James Brown.
The on-loan St Johnstone full-back picked up a knock in training on Friday and was forced to sit out the trip west.
With Zak Rudden and Lewis Vaughan starting in attack and Jack Hamilton dropping down to the bench, it meant a switch to right-back for midfielder Ross Matthews.
Opportunity knocks
Raith travelled west having seen the perfect outcome play out the previous evening.
It may have been ironic that it was rivals Dunfermline who did them a favour but that would have made it all the sweeter to see Dundee United go down 3-1 on Friday night.
It meant victory at Hampden would send them clear at the top.
But after a series of missed opportunities over the course of the campaign, would they be able to take it?
The answer was no after a frustrating 90 minutes.
Bright start
Rovers started with their tails up and grabbed the early initiative.
A corner from Kyle Turner caused mayhem in the heart of the home box in the eighth minute but the visitors’ claims for a hand ball were waved away by referee Kevin Clancy.
Then a net-bound shot from Turner, who had provided the assist for Tuesday night’s victory over Partick Thistle, was deflected wide.
It was the story of a dominant spell for Raith, who found the Queen’s Park defence in determined mood as they got blocks in on efforts from Sam Stanton, Scott Brown and Liam Dick in quick succession.
Turner proved his worth defensively when he repelled a Dom Thomas drive and then a Sean Welsh shot was deflected past as the Spiders enjoyed their own period in ascendancy.
But Stanton was disappointed in himself six minutes from the interval when he pulled a shot from the edge of the box across goal and wide.
Frantic start to second-half
In a tight game, both sides were looking for any advantage they could find.
In the space of just four minutes after the interval there were three appeals for a penalty.
Queen’s Park manager Callum Davidson appeared more convinced there had been a foul on Cillian Sheridan than the striker himself.
Then Zak Rudden was penalised for a foul chasing a loose pass when he was subsequently clipped inside the box.
Moments later, a block on Aidan Connolly’s shot elicited more unsuccessful claims for a spot-kick.
Dylan Easton then brought a diving save from Ferrie as Rovers pressed for the breakthrough.
Late surge
With 19 minutes remaining, Raith came closest to the opener.
Vaughan found space in the box from a long throw-in and skipped past a challenge before trying to squeeze a shot home from a tight angle.
But his effort clipped a leg on the way through and slipped across the six-yard box away from goal.
Two minutes later, Kevin Dabrowski earned his corn with a smart save from a Sean Welsh shot at the other end.
Ferrie good saves
And then, with time running out, Raith were twice denied by brilliant Ferrie saves in the space of a minute.
First, in the 84th minute, he threw out a strong right arm to deny substitute Scott McGill from a tight angle following a chipped pass from fellow replacement Shaun Byrne.
Just seconds later, the home keeper had to back-pedal to claw a Stanton looping effort away from his top corner.
In the 89th minute, Ferrie was in the right place again to keep out a low Callum Smith shot, before McGill saw another effort deflected wide in a grandstand finish that fell short.
Star Man: Euan Murray
The defender had been the match-winner in midweek against Partick Thistle with the only goal of the game.
Here, he was part of a Raith defence that held firm for a third clean sheet in the space of a week.
But this time he could not help out the strikers as the game finished in a frustrating stalemate.
Player Ratings
Raith Rovers (4-1-3-2): Dabrowski 6; Matthews 6, Murray 7, S Brown 7, Dick 6; Turner 6; Connolly 6 (McGill 81 3), Stanton 6, Easton 6 (Smith 74 3); Vaughan 6 (Byrne 81 3), Rudden 6 (Hamilton 57 4). Subs not used: McNeil, Thomson, Watson, Corr. Booked: Turner.
Referee: Kevin Clancy.
Attendance: 1,883.
