Raith’s pre-season campaign got off to a stuttering start with a 2-2 draw against Lowland League outfit Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium.
The Kirkcaldy side were missing several first team players, and manager Grant Murray fielded an experimental defence that included two young apprentices, Ross Matthews and David Bates, as well as player-coach Laurie Ellis.
New signings Rory McKeown, Mark Stewart and Christian Nade all started, while out-of-contract Morton forward Archie Campbell was also listed as a trialist.
There was no place in the squad for new arrivals Kevin Cuthbert, Craig Barr and Martin Scott, or first team regulars Jason Thomson and Paul Watson, who were all nursing slight knocks.
Raith took the lead in the 26th minute when Stewart was nudged in the back as he waited for a high ball to land at his feet. Calum Elliot took the kick and sent a crisp low effort inside the right hand post.
The hosts were more than holding their own and equalised on 34 minutes when Ellis stumbled over the ball in his own area, then tripped Gordon Donaldson in an attempt to recover the situation.
Striker Nico Gibson levelled by firing a powerfully struck penalty high past the diving Ross Laidlaw in the Raith goal. City then shocked their Championship opponents by taking the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Impressive forward Ross Allum broke the offside trap to sprint clear, past Laidlaw, before firing into the net.
Nade then equalised on 55 minutes. The French striker was quickest to react after Ross Callachan’s 20-yard effort had been topped on to the post by City’s trialist goalkeeper.