Glenrothes 0-2 St Andrews Utd

Only Dylan Honeyman was absent from the United squad but Charlie King replaced Jake Grady in the starting eleven as the visitors returned to action after a month’s abeyance due to the recent stormy weather.

The first chance of the contest fell to former St Andrews winger Lea Schiavone as he narrowly shot wide with less than a minute on the clock.

Glenrothes enjoyed most of the possession over the course of the first half but they only troubled Shaw on one occasion when the giant goalkeeper was forced to smother a ball at the feet of Scott Russell.

Andy McDonald also headed over the bar from a Schiavone long throw and Michael Fleming dived to nod the ball past the post at the other end when he struggled to make the most of a terrific Ryan McInnes cross.

Saints scored the opening goal when Blair Smart fouled Wilson on the right wing and King aimed a great free kick towards Michael Fleming, who in turn bulleted a powerful header past a helpless Wortley.

St Andrews United manager Andy Brown also replaced Cunningham with Jake Grady and the young substitute tested Wortley with his first shot of the afternoon from just outside the box.

The next effort from Grant Skinner rattled the United bar before the same player went close with a header then Shaw made an outstanding one-handed save from substitute Paddy Calderwood in what proved to be a key moment of the match.

Saints immediately broke clear to earn a corner and Doig connected with a wonderful delivery from McInnes to make the score 2-0 by looping a header over Wortley in the 78th minute.

Saints comfortably contained Glenrothes thereafter as the home side became dispirited yet there were several unnecessary fouls, shoves and arguments during the last ten minutes as the referee struggled to keep control of proceedings.