Former Raith boss Jimmy Nicholl used his knowledge of the opposition to inspire Cowdenbeath to a local derby victory at Stark’s Park.
A hat-trick from Colin Nish gave the Blue Brazil their second win in four days and sent them five points clear of relegation rivals Alloa, who lost last night at Tynecastle.
Cowdenbeath know how that feels after conceding 10 there themselves, so they deserve credit for the way they have responded to that defeat.
“It was a really difficult March, but we kept some belief,” said Nicholl.
“We’re coming good at the right time, but all I’m thinking about now is Livingston on Saturday.
“I was thrilled to bits for big Nishy. I’ve always liked him even though he’s scored enough against us in the past.”
Nish added modestly: “I was just there in the right place at the right time.”
The Raith board and fans paid an emotional pre-match tribute to former chairman Turnbull Hutton, who died on Sunday, and the home team seemed to have difficulty getting up to speed once the game kicked-off.
The realisation they were out of the promotion race also left them looking flat.
Nish failed to capitalise on an early half-chance and then fired wide from a tricky angle when Sean Higgins appeared better-placed.
Moments later, Higgins stretched the Rovers defence, but his left-foot finish was blocked on the edge of the penalty area.
The Kirkcaldy club finally began to enjoy some possession, although Cowden comfortably dealt with a series of high balls slung into the box.
A 28th-minute corner offered Ross Callachan two shots at the Blue Brazil’s goal but both were off-target.
The pressure was building, but Raith were vulnerable to a counter-attack, and Nish made them suffer in the 33rd minute with a cute dinked finish over goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert.
Rovers were rattled and fortunate not to be penalised shortly after half time when Nish collapsed like a giraffe.
Urgent action was required from the home team, and Rory McKeown provided it with a long-range drive that keeper Robbie Thomson palmed over the bar.
On the hour mark, ex-Cowden defender Dougie Hill nearly scored, but his left-foot effort was headed off the line by skipper Colin Marshall.
The reprieved visitors promptly doubled their advantage, Nish rounding off a fine four-man move with a simple tap-in from six yards.
He completed his hat-trick 11 minutes from time before Mark Stewart pulled one back near the end.