Rovers boss content with closing point

DUMBARTON 2 RAITH ROVERS 2

Caretaker manager Laurie Ellis paid tribute to his Raith Rovers players following Saturday’s draw with Dumbarton.

Ellis took charge for the final match of the season following Grant Murray’s departure, and he was pleased with the overall performance as Rovers ended a run of five straight defeats.

“Over the past three years that Grant and I have been involved with the first team the players have been great,” Ellis said. “We can’t have any complaints. “It just so happens that a recent run of form has affected things, but over the course, the players have been great, and that was no different today.

“What we asked from them, we got, and more.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t win the game but I couldn’t fault them one bit.

Ellis made four changes to the Raith side that lost 4-0 at home to Livingston last week, including a first senior start for 19-year-old Ross Matthews, who impressed in midfield.

A strong wind made for difficult playing conditions but the teams served up an entertaining encounter.

Dumbarton had the wind at their backs in the first half, and led 1-0 at the break thanks to Jordan Fitzpatrick’s 20th minute opener.

Lewis Vaughan had the ball in the net for Raith in 37 minutes but was flagged offside, just after Ryan Conroy saw a point-blank effort saved by Danny Rogers.

Raith hit back eight minutes into the second half when Vaughan’s turn and pass released Mark Stewart into the box, and the striker toe-poked home his 10th goal of the season.

The visitors took the lead in spectacular style on the hour mark when Rogers miscued a goal-kick to Vaughan, who took a touch and struck a stunning lob over the retreating keeper from the edge of the centre circle.

Vaughan missed a glorious chance to seal the points for Raith, sending a header wide of a gaping goal from Stewart’s dinked cross, and Dumbarton made the most of the let-off, as Scott Agnew pounced on a poor headed clearance from Rory McKeown to send a swerving shot past David McGurn from 16 yards.

What we asked from them, we got, and more. LAURIE ELLIS