There may only have been one goal in it, but the truth is this was a game Raith deserved to win by a far bigger margin.
Apart from a spell at the start of the first half, Livi, who played most of the game with 10 men, posed very little threat during a fixture the home side dominated.
Both Rovers and Livingston are among the Championship’s in-form sides with Livi, managed by former Raith boss John McGlynn, having won their previous two games.
Rovers have also been in impressive form, with an undefeated run which stretches back to August fuelling real hope of a title challenge. The match started at a terrific pace and it was the hosts who did most of the pressing.
Joe Cardle’s cross was almost met by the head of Calum Elliot as the Rovers looked for an early opener. At the other end Marc McNulty’s clever flick did not catch out Raith ‘keeper Ross Laidlaw.
Cardle was unlucky to watch his drive flash across the face of goal for Grant Murray’s side. The game refused to settle as the play swung from end to end.
McGlynn has had a really positive impact on the Lions since his arrival at Almondvale and his side almost took the lead on the 15-minute mark.
Stefan Scougall’s drive was sailing towards the net until it caught a deflection off Callum Booth and spun over the bar with Laidlaw wrong footed.
The Raith fans were out of their seats thinking they had secured the opener when Gordon Smith met Cardle’s corner. Somehow, though, Jamieson managed to keep the ball out with his foot.
But Smith was not to be denied and gave his side the lead just a minute later.
Jamieson came rushing off his line to make a clearance but the Raith man just did enough to nick the ball past the Livi goalie, leaving him with an empty net to tap into.
Cardle was the next to test Jamieson as Murray’s men penned Livi back in their own half. In the opposite goal Laidlaw was far from overworked as the Lions lost their early bite.
Rovers should have extended their advantage when they were awarded a penalty just before the break. After being fouled himself, Elliot picked himself up to take the kick but his effort was saved.
McGlynn’s men began to lose their discipline following the penalty and Danny Denholm was sent packing by ref Alan Muir following a kick on former Hearts man Elliot.
It was one way traffic towards the Livi goal the longer the game went on as Raith looked to put the game to bed. Cardle seemed determined to get his name on the scoresheet and sent a 20-yard strike towards goal which Jamieson held.
The last real chance of the match fell to Liam Fox but his shot from outside of the box failed to trouble the Livi goal.
Picture by David Wardle