2 years ago
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Sam Stanton (second right) scored the winning goalRaith Rovers move two points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship after edging a seven-goal thriller with third-top visitors Partick Thistle.
A Daniel O'Reilly header and Dylan Easton strike had Rovers comfortably in the lead at half time.
An O'Reilly own goal and a Brian Graham penalty levelled the scores and Blair Alston slid in to put Thistle ahead.
But substitute Callum Smith equalised with a low drive and Sam Stanton slotted a close-range winner.
A fifth consecutive victory lifts Rovers above Dundee United, who host Ayr United on Saturday, and Ian Murray's side travel to Arbroath on Tuesday unbeaten in 11 games before heading to Tannadice next Saturday to face the pre-season title favourites.
Rovers went one better than the reverse fixture at Firhill in August, when they came from two down to draw.
Ending Thistle's six-game unbeaten run leaves Kris Doolan's side, who had headed to Kirkcaldy on the back of four straight wins, eight points behind Rovers.
Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray: "I do not think it is a coincidence how many late goals we have scored this season. It is not just the physical aspect, it is also the mental aspect.
"The players deserve all the credit coming their way at the moment. I would prefer it was the end of May, but I am delighted. We have worked incredibly hard, but it is a long way to go."
Partick Thistle manager Kris Doolan: "I think the positives are that we scored three goals in the second half. Raith have scored late goals numerous times this season, but to lose two is a sore one.
"The positives in there are that we managed to pull it back and take the lead. We probably had another shout for a penalty, but still there are lessons to be learned. We do not dwell on it. We move on, we learn, take the positives and get better."
Line-ups
Raith Rovers
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Dabrowski
- 4Millen
- 6MurrayBooked at 60minsSubstituted forBrownat 72'minutes
- 34O'Reilly
- 3Dick
- 21Byrne
- 14MullinSubstituted forSmithat 70'minutes
- 23EastonSubstituted forGullanat 88'minutes
- 16StantonBooked at 85mins
- 19Hamilton
- 10VaughanSubstituted forConnollyat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Connolly
- 8Matthews
- 9Gullan
- 11Smith
- 15Corr
- 17Thomson
- 20Brown
- 24McGill
- 27Hannah
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Sneddon
- 2McMillan
- 5MuirheadBooked at 53mins
- 6Neilson
- 3MilneBooked at 63mins
- 26StanwaySubstituted forDiackat 87'minutes
- 7McInroy
- 11Lawless
- 23AlstonSubstituted forRobinsonat 80'minutes
- 21FitzpatrickBooked at 87mins
- 9GrahamSubstituted forAdeloyeat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Williams
- 8Bannigan
- 17Robinson
- 19McGinley
- 22Williamson
- 29Mackenzie
- 31Mitchell
- 34Diack
- 99Adeloye
Referee:Alan Muir
Attendance:3,447
Live Text
Match ends, Raith Rovers 4, Partick Thistle 3.
Second Half ends, Raith Rovers 4, Partick Thistle 3.
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Kevin Dabrowski.
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Liam Dick.
Foul by Shaun Byrne (Raith Rovers).
Jack McMillan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Raith Rovers. James Gullan replaces Dylan Easton.
Aidan Connolly (Raith Rovers) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the right side of the box.
Substitution, Partick Thistle. Ricco Diack replaces Ben Stanway.
Aidan Fitzpatrick (Partick Thistle) is shown the yellow card.
Sam Stanton (Raith Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Daniel O'Reilly (Raith Rovers).
Tomi Adeloye (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Dylan Easton (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Jack McMillan (Partick Thistle).
Foul by Sam Stanton (Raith Rovers).
Scott Robinson (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Goal! Raith Rovers 4, Partick Thistle 3. Sam Stanton (Raith Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum Smith.
Sam Stanton (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Lewis Neilson (Partick Thistle).
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