Match report: Dunfermline 4-1 Raith Rovers

Dunfermline haven't been in great form of late and a terrific win against Dundee, coupled with some excellent work in the transfer market, put a spring in the step of the Raith side as it made its way down the A92.

With the firepower now at the club's disposal, supporters watching on streams at home were entitled to fancy their chances against their Fife rivals.

But Dunfermline had other ideas.

Played in near monsoon conditions, the Pars washed Raith away.

There was very little between the two for the majority of the opening 45 but, as the half was nearing its end, Stevie Crawford's side, you could sense, were starting to find their range.

Declan McManus went close, as did Fraser Murray.

With the seconds ticking away before half time, Dunfermline edged ahead.

Timmy Abraham lost possession deep inside the home side's half with the Pars switching from defence to attack in a split second and before Raith had a chance to organise themselves.

Iain Wilson's long ball picked out McManus who thumped his effort beyond Jamie MacDonald.

There's never a good time to concede a goal, but losing one seconds before the interval is always tough to take.

It completely knocked Raith off track and it wasn't too long after the re-start that they lost another.

Aaron Comrie this time managed to get in behind the Rovers backline and sent his composed finish in off the post.

Raith needed some inspiration, someone to drag them out of the hole they'd found themselves in.

That lifeline arrived on 64 minutes when Brad Spencer picked up the ball on the edge of the Dunfermline box and sent a sublime finish beyond Owain Fon Williams.

Had the Raith fans been occupying the stand behind the goal then Spencer's strike would have raised the roof.

But those celebrations would have fallen flat minutes later when Dunfermline restored their two goal lead.

Scott Banks was brought down on the edge of the Raith box, presenting set-piece expert Fraser Murray with a chance to get the goal his play had deserved.

He grabbed it in some style, sending a stunning free-kick in off the underside of MacDonald's crossbar.

Raith had given themselves a mountain to climb but with over 20 minutes to go there was plenty of football to be played.

In truth, they never looked like eating into Dunfermline's advantage again and it was the home side who looked more likely to grab the game's fifth goal.

It duly arrived with minutes to spare when Fraser Murray's strike deflected off Iain Davidson and gave MacDonald no chance.

Raith boss John McGlynn said: "We've been punished for the first goal and for the second we lose the ball in midfield and Dunfermline score a similar goal.

"Dunfermline were very clinical in their finishing, they didn't miss too many chances so from that point of view, yeah, they deserved the win.

"The third goal they execute the free-kick well but before that we'd scored to make it 2-1 but then never gave ourselves a chance.

"At Stark's Park we were 2-0 up and Dunfermline came back to get a draw and it could have been the same situation.

"But we didn't give ourselves that breathing space because 3-1 gives them that cushion again."