PARS 1
Raith Rovers 0

KALLUM Higginbotham’s coolness from the spot burnt Raith Rovers in a crucial Fife Derby at a sun-kissed East End Park.

The winger confidently dispatched the penalty with a delicate chip that lands Rovers in hot water as they try to battle away from potential relegation.

With John Herron missing out through suspension, it was a chance for Rhys McCabe to stake his claim for a stay in Allan Johnston’s starting XI as the season draws to a close.

The opening exchanges were tight with both defences comfortable covering crosses into the box and balls into the channels.

Raith were presented a gift of a route to goal on 13 minutes when Callum Morris misjudged a ball over the top, giving Ryan Hardie a one-on-one with Sean Murdoch. Thankfully for the Pars, Morris recovered superbly and snuffed out the striker’s threat by using his strength and nous to clear.

The home support were then fuming when Jason Talbot was scythed on the left touchline by ex-Athletic right-back Jason Thomson. Andrew Dallas was quick to brandish a yellow on 15 minutes, for a challenge which could have seen red on a different day.

Michael Moffat closed down Pavol Penska in the Rovers goal on 25 minutes and almost had an open net to aim for if the ball had fallen kindly, but the striker’s block carried it just over the byline.

It was more defensive hesitancy at the back which gave Rudi Skacel a chance from only a few yards out but his outstretched leg couldn’t make contact as the first half came to a close.

The second half was only three minutes long when Paul McMullan was felled in the box by the already booked Thomson and Dallas didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Higginbotham stepped up for the second week in a row and chipped the ball in the opposite direction of the helpless Penska. A perfect start to the second half for Johnston’s men.

Skacel forced Murdoch into his first save of the game minutes later but his effort was weak and easy for the stopper.

Moffat almost made it two on 56 minutes as McCabe’s wicked cross was bulleted towards goal with Penska having to react sharply to tip over the header from eight yards out.

It was only a heroic clearance from Kevin McHattie which spared Rovers falling two behind as cleared his lines brilliantly from under the bar with Moffat waiting.

Nicky Clark, who had been quiet throughout, somehow contrived to miss at the back post with a header straight at the palms of the Raith keeper.

It was Penska who saved Raith again when Clark’s low drive found the Slovakian’s feet able to block the effort on 77 minutes.

Pars couldn’t net a second but in the end it didn’t matter as the three points were recorded with Rovers travelling back to Kirkcaldy empty-handed.

Pars: Sean Murdoch, Andy Geggan, Lee Ashcroft, Callum Morris, Jason Talbot, Kallum Higginbotham, Nat Wedderburn, Rhys McCabe, Paul McMullan (Joe Cardle 88’), Nicky Clark, Michael Moffat.

Subs not used: Cameron Gill, Lewis Martin, Ryan Williamson, Lewis Spence, Michael Paton, Gavin Reilly.
Goal: Higginbotham (P, 48’)
Booked: Talbot (64’), Higginbotham (67’), Wedderburn (84’)

Raith: Pavol Penska, Jason Thomson, Jean-Yves M’Voto, Craig Barr, Kevin McHattie, Chris Johnston, Iain Davidson, Jordan Thompson (Bobby Barr 78’), Danny Handling, Rudi Skacel (Jonathan Court 87’), Ryan Hardie

Subs not used: Conor Brennan, Scott Roberts, Declan McManus, David McKay.
Booked: Thomson (15’), Craig Barr (75’)

Referee: Andrew Dallas
Attendance: 4,865