Raith Rovers boss Dougie Imrie impressed as fine fightback beats Airdrieonians

Trailing to Adam Devine’s 54th-minute strike for Aaron Taylor-Sinclair’s visitors, Rovers staged a stunning fightback to win via Innes Cameron’s close range shot after Callum Fordyce had knocked on a Dylan Easton corner and a double by substitute Kai Montagu, a left-footed half volley and a header from a Jordan Doherty cross.

“I was really pleased with the game,” gaffer Imrie told Raith TV post match. “I thought at times some of the stuff we went through all week came to fruition today. That’s the pleasing thing as a manager.

"But when we went 1-0 down I thought: ‘Oh no, here we go’ because I thought we should have been at least three if not four goals up.

"We hit the post, the keeper makes a great save from Innes, we’ve got the one cleared off the line from the corner from Andy Winter.

"And then we’ve got the one just after half-time that we don’t take either.

"But then the character showed. That’s the first time this season that the team has come back from a losing position to win all three points so that’s pleasing at this stage of the season.

"For me as a manager it shows me that there’s real togetherness, real character and a real spirit to win games of football here.

"I thought the fans today were outstanding, the full game. I thought second half they really spurred us onto the three points as well.

"From my point of view and everyone else’s connected with the club, we thank them for that.”

Saturday’s match took place with Rovers having endured a largely wretched run against their North Lanarkshire opponents in recent league matches against the Diamonds.

In the previous 11 league meetings with Airdrieonians since the 2023-2025 campaign, Raith had won only one, drawn four and lost six.

And it looked dodgy again for a while at Stark’s Park, only for the Kirkcaldy outfit to turn things around and garner a previous three points.

Imrie, who made four changes to his starting XI for the Airdrie game, added: “I got the reaction I wanted. The last two weeks haven’t been good enough, we lose two games and concede five goals.

“And I thought we were a lot more solid at the back.

"And I’m really pleased for young Kai Montagu. He’s waited a long time for this opportunity and he scores two great goals.

"His header was unbelievable and his left foot finish into the top bin got us that breathing space.

"I’m pretty tired because I put so much into that from the sidelines there but I’m so pleased for the group of players.

"We’ve waited for that for a while and there’s no better feeling after a game than when you’ve won because the full dressing room’s buzzing and everyone’s happy.

"These are the moments we need more often. We’ve been through the mill this season but it’s a fantastic three points.”