Raith Rovers 0 PARS 0

FIFE derby spoils were shared for a third time this season as Athletic and Raith battled to a stalemate at Stark's Park this afternoon.

In what was a first scoreless draw between the teams in Kirkcaldy since 1995, Dunfermline arguably had the contest's best chances through Lewis McCann and Matty Todd in the opening period.

Although John McGlynn's side had their moments as well, neither goalkeeper was called into much action as a game that was full of effort and endeavour lacked a creative spark at either end of the pitch.

For John Hughes, it was a first clean sheet in five games, and much improved showing from Boxing Day's loss to league leaders Arbroath.

While the draw means Dunfermline are four games without a win, there will be some plus points for the East End boss, most notably the debut of new signing Steven Lawless.

The former Motherwell and Livingston winger, on this evidence, showed he will prove to a shrewd acquisition.

He was strong on the ball, showed an excellent touch and close control, as well as having an eye for a pass that could be key in helping the Pars unlock opposition defences in their bid to beat the drop.

He was backed up by a fine showing at the back from on-loan Dundee United centre back Mark Connolly, about whom Hughes will hold talks with his parent club, with his deal due to end this month.

Lawless was one of two changes made by the visitors following that 3-0 loss to the Lichties a week ago.

Dan Pybus came into midfield as captain Graham Dorrans missed out completely, with Craig Wighton dropping down to the bench, while Kai Kennedy was another noticeable absentee from the squad.

The appearance of Lewis Martin on the bench however - a player who had not played since March 2020, at Partick Thistle in the final game before the season cut short due to COVID-19, because of injury - was a welcome sight for the Athletic faithful, while fellow defender, Leon Jones, also returned to the squad.

The hosts - unbeaten in five home clashes with the Pars going into this one - handed former Queen Anne High School pupil Ben Williamson, who yesterday concluded a loan move from Rangers, his debut, while ex-Dunfermline pair Tom Lang and Ethan Ross also started.

Josh Edwards sent an early attempt over the bar from a short corner as the visitors looked to start 2022 in a positive manner, but the early stages of the match were scrappy to say the least.

That was exemplified in the 16th minute when a loose pass from Raith keeper Jamie MacDonald fell at the feet of Todd who, from range, didn't catch an ambitious effort properly as it trundled towards goal and was comfortably cleared.

There was a warning for the Pars when Lang headed wide, unmarked, from a Ross free-kick but it was they who had an even better opportunity moments later.

Lewis McCann was barged in the back and won a free-kick and, from that, Paul Allan sent in a super delivery that Todd connected in plenty of space, but he headed wide from six yards.

It perhaps should have been a goal for Dunfermline and Raith were fortunate again when Kyle Benedictus, already booked for a foul on Todd, escaped a second yellow when he cynically halted McCann on the right after the Pars forward had turned him and attempted to race clear.

Another fine ball in, this time by Lawless, evaded Breen before Todd, following good play between McCann and Pybus, fired a shot at MacDonald's near post which the keeper saved comfortably.

Rovers had a decent period of pressure late in the opening period, with plenty of balls into the box, but Athletic defended them well and Owain Fon Williams remained relatively untroubled.

Ross fired a speculative effort high and wide in the early stages of the second half for Raith, whose defence were on hand to block Todd as he tried again to find a route to goal.

Williamson, after a good bit of play with Ross Matthews, had a shot deflected wide before a greater scare at the back for Dunfermline.

Connolly, under pressure from Ethon Varian, allowed Fon Williams to come out and deal with an attempted through pass, with the Welshman taking a touch away from the Raith man and clearing.

His kick, however, fell to the feet of substitute Dario Zanatta who, fortunately for the Pars, couldn't return the ball with any conviction as it was cleared to safety.

Another blocked effort, this time from McCann, continued to see Dunfermline frustrated in attack, while Ross was unfortunate with a fine free-kick that finished over the top but had the home fans at the far end celebrating for a split second as they thought it had hit the net.

Hughes introduced Kevin O'Hara - the scorer in September's 1-1 draw at Stark's Park - with around 20 minutes left in a bid to find a way to victory, but neither team could.

Lang had another attempt with a header, which went wide, late on as both teams shared the spoils, which takes Dunfermline one point above bottom side Morton, who they travel to next Saturday, and to within two of eighth-placed Queen of the South.

Raith Rovers: MacDonald, Tumilty, Dick, Benedictus, Matthews, Lang, Stanton, Varian, Williamson (Tait 68), Ross (Connolly 80), Poplatnik (Zanatta 62).

Subs not used: Musonda, Riley-Snow, Arnott, Thomson.

Booked: Benedictus (10).

Pars: Fon Williams, Comrie, Connolly, Breen, Edwards, Todd (O'Hara 68), Pybus, Allan, Lawless, Dow, McCann.

Subs not used: Martin, MacDonald, Wighton, Todorov, Jones, Mehmet.

Booked: Dow (9), Pybus (78).

Referee: David Munro.

Attendance: 500.