Rarely has a draw felt more like a win.
With the clock ticking down to a galling defeat against Dunfermline, Raith Rovers showed gumption, persistence and — in the case of of Brad Spencer — brilliance to rescue a 1-1 stalemate.
The result sees Raith move to within four points of the Championship summit.
And Courier Sport was at East End Park to analyse the action.
Reigning in the Kingdom
When Dunfermline claimed the lead through Dom Thomas, the boisterous band of home fans in the North-West Stand made hay.
‘Wee team’ taunts were liberally lobbed in the direction of the Rovers supporters.
But that particular jibe rings hollow.
Sure, the Pars boast the historical achievements, sizeable stadium and make all the right noises regarding their lofty ambitions.
Yet, even Dunfermline fans must be sick of leaning on that old crutch while their team toils.
For the moment, Rovers are reigning in the Kingdom of Fife where it matters: on the pitch.
Tuesday night’s draw was Raith’s fifth game unbeaten against Dunfermline. They have lost just once in their last eight encounters with the Pars.
One must go back to 1982 — the denouement of a seven-game streak — for the last time the Kirkcaldy club enjoyed such a lengthy spell without defeat against their fierce foes.
The current run has included dumping Dunfermline out of the promotion playoffs last term (having finished above them in the table) and a 5-1 demolition at Stark’s Park.
Quite aside from the 12 points that separate them in the current Championship standings, Raith are quite obviously a better, more vibrant and effective team.
Thank you all once again for the incredible support tonight, safe travels home and we go again on Saturday! 👏💙#yourrovers #wevegotmcglynn pic.twitter.com/szs5MRrOMV
— RRFC Official (@RaithRovers) October 26, 2021
Football is transient and things can change swiftly, but there has scarcely been a more enjoyable time to be on the Rovers side of this rivalry.
Tom Lang impact
Making just his third league start of the season — and his first in a 4-4-2 formation — Tom Lang was outstanding.
He deputised manfully for the injured Kyle Benedictus, relishing the physical battle with Craig Wighton and cutting off the dangerous forward dashes of Kevin O’Hara at source.
Lang dribbled out from the back on several occasions — no mean feat amid the whipping wind and rain, and general uptempo madness unfolding — and coolly picked out teammates.
A sumptuous 50-yard diagonal to Dario Zanatta in the first half was a particular highlight.
Lang has been patiently waiting for his opportunity and grasped it during one of the biggest games on the Rovers calendar.
Unsung hero
Few Rovers players are more deserving of their moment in the spotlight than Brad Spencer.
💬 | 'Brad definitely has that in the locker — but I see all of his shots and 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮 go into Row Z too . . . '
📹 @RaithTV
🗞 @thecouriersport https://t.co/sedRuSDhQM pic.twitter.com/4SE4DmDzIm— Alan Temple (@alanftemple) October 27, 2021
The classy midfielder started this season in fine fettle but saw his progress halted by a fractured foot in August; maddening misfortune.
However, Spencer has battled back to full fitness and is — without fanfare — playing his best football as a Rovers player.
He calmly circulates possession and spreads the play, is deceptively tenacious in the tackle and has a penchant for haring forward when the time is right in McGlynn’s ever-rotating midfield three.
A quality player.
