Aidan Connolly destroyed Dumbarton as play-off bound Raith Rovers came from behind to win and close the gap on third-placed Hibs to just two points.
The pint-sized forward capped a classy display in Saturday evening’s televised match with a stunning strike as well as setting up two goals for Ryan Hardie and James Craigen in a 3-2 victory.
The 20-year-old, who was picked up by Raith after being dumped by Dundee United in January, reckons the Kirkcaldy side could cause an upset in the promotion play-offs.
He said: “Hibs are struggling just now but we have a really good squad, while we are playing well and scoring goals.
“I don’t think anyone will want to play us with the form we are in.
“Hibs and Falkirk will fight it out for second place and then one has to come to Stark’s Park.
“Anything can happen and we have nothing to lose.”
Raith boss Ray McKinnon, who played alongside Aidan’s father Paddy in his Tannadice days, was thrilled with the youngster’s performance.
“It was a brilliant goal from Aidan and he deserved it in the second half because he was a constant thorn in their side,” he added. “Paddy scored many a goal like that. His dad was very skilful as well.
“It’s like father, like son – both technically different class. Aidan got’s the bit of magic in his feet and if he can get himself into the right areas where he can hurt teams more consistently, he could be a super player.”
Raith were without the suspended Iain Davidson, while Scott Robertson, Mark Stewart, Lewis Vaughan and David Bates all missed out through injury.
Grant Anderson, Harry Panayiotou and Ross Callachan returned to the starting XI but the hosts took a 13th minute lead with Christian Nade scoring his seventh goal in nine games.
The ex-Raith striker, who returned to Stark’s Park last week for a charity match in memory of Ally Gourlay, controlled a Tom Walsh cross on his chest before firing past Kevin Cuthbert from six yards.
Ryan Hardie had Raith’s best chance to equalise before the break when he burst through the Dumbarton defence only to be thwarted by an excellent save from Jamie Ewings.
Rovers picked up the pace after half-time and dismantled Dumbarton with a devastating half hour of football which included three quality goals.
Hardie levelled affairs on 49 minutes when he raced onto Connolly’s pinpoint through ball and slotted a composed low finish beyond Ewings.
Connolly then fired Rovers in front on the hour mark with a stunning, dipping volley from 25 yards that left the Dumbarton ‘keeper grasping thin air.
Subsitute James Craigen added a third, curling home from a sublime finish from the edge of the area after more good set-up work from Connolly, on 69 minutes.
Dumbarton made Raith sweat in injury time as Steven Saunders rose to power home a corner kick, but the visitors held on for a deserved three points.
McKinnon added: “I thought we were excellent for 30 minutes in the second half – we could have run riot.
“We want to keep the momentum going and finish third if we can. It’s possible.”
