One goal sinks Raith Rovers at Arbroath

A second half Kris Doolan strike was the difference between the sides as Arbroath stretched their unbeaten 2021 run to seven games.

With Dunfermline beating Alloa it also meant that Raith slipped a place to third in the Championship table.

John McGlynn made two changes to the starting line up from the last game against Morton two weeks ago – Fernandy Mendy and Frankie Musonda replaced by Kyle Benedictus and Kai Kennedy.

There was a further change prior to kick off when Brad Spencer took unwell during the warm up. Dylan Tait took his place.

The was a strong wind blowing across the pitch as the match kicked off with the playing surface itself looking in less that perfect condition.

The few chances created by either side in the opening 45, the best of those fell to the hosts.

Jamie MacDonald blocked an effort from Kris Doolan on 23 minutes and with four minutes to go the Rovers stopper made a crucial save when he tipped the ball away from the feet of Williamson as he attempted to round him for an empty netter.

The hosts started the second half on top but it was Rovers who came close to breaking the deadlock on 55 minutes when a Dan Armstrong cross was a fraction too high for Gozie Ugwu’s head.

MacDonald saved a Bobby Linn shot on 58 minutes but just two minutes later he was picking the ball out of the net and it was a moment to forget for Kieran MacDonald.

The left back was under no pressure when he played the ball straight to the feet of Michael McKenna who crossed for Doolan to lift the ball over keeper MacDonald.

Seven minutes later and Raith came close to equalising when Ugwu met a Regan Hendry cross at the near post but was inches wide.

With nine minutes to go former Rover Thomson put in a last ditch challenge to nick the ball away from sub Duku who would have been left with a tap in from an Armstrong cross.

After that, Hilson had two one-on-ones with MacDonald to wrap the points up, but despite squandering both Dick Campbell’s side held on for the win.