Raith Rovers 1
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Not even the boost of an early goal was enough to inspire a United side which produced its poorest performance of the season so far.

The goal was a beauty too, even if the build up didn't match the finish. Andy McLaren under pressure from an oncoming defender scooped the ball high into the air. It dropped to Billy McKinlay who brought it under control and then despatched a ferocious volley into the far corner with Carson getting a touch to it, but unable to keep it out.

Those who expected Raith to crumble were disappointed as they dominated most of the game. Cameron volleyed wide when well placed in the 16th minute and Alan Main saved low down from McStay, but Raith without Dalziel were weak in front of goal.

Indeed, United's best spell of the game came in the six minutes leading up to the interval. It followed an indirect free-kick awarded when Tom Carson gathered a pass-back. Dave Bowman tapped the ball into Billy McKinlay's path and he hit a rasping shot which Carson just managed to tip over.

The home side really ought to have equalised when Dair scooped a McStay cross over the bar when completely unmarked at the far post. They were then desperately unlucky when Dair crashed in a 25 yarder which hit the underside of the bar and bounced to safety.

Craig Brewster who had been loudly barracked by the fans who hero-worshipped him last term came on for the final six minutes, but it was his former gaffer, Jimmy Nicholl, who was to have the final say when he first timed a blistering 25 yarder past Alan Main with virtually the last kick of the game.

It was no more than newly promoted Raith deserved on a disappointing afternoon for all with Tannadice affiliations.