Raith Rovers moved up to third in the Championship after a 3-1 win over Hamilton Accies at Starks Park.
The home side burst in to life and opened the scoring through Dylan Easton on five minutes with a sublime strike.
Hamilton pulled one back around 10 minutes later through Jean Pierre Tiehi. Despite their efforts, both sides went into the break level.
Raith came out strong again and went 2-1 ahead through Aidan Connolly. The winger fired home from the spot after Liam Dick was bundled over in the box.
Then on 80 minutes, Dick ended the contest, slotting home a Lewis Vaughan cross.
Courier Sport takes a look at the key moments from Starks Park.
Key moments
Raith started their last game bright, opening the scoring after 12 minutes. This time around, they were up and running after five.
Dylan Easton curled a fantastic shot in the top corner just inside the box after some ping pong in the Hamilton area.
Moments later, it should have been 2-0. Kyle Connell found the ball at his feet after clever work from Aidan Connolly on the byline.
However, the Killie loanee couldn’t get a decent connection on the ball and Chrissy McGinn was able to clear the ball of the line.
The visitors had barely managed to get out of their own half in the opening 15 but fired a warning shot with Chris McGinn ghosting up the left, crossing for Andy Winter.
Despite having a free header, the forward’s effort went high and wide.
On 17 minutes, Accies had their equaliser. Jean Pierre Tiehi received the ball with his back to goal but performed an excellent turn to set up a one-on-one with Jamie MacDonald.
The Raith keeper rushed out to smother the danger but Tiehi cleverly chipped the ball over the stopper and in to the net.
The game began to open up with both sides creating half-chances.
Scott Brown went closest on 32 minutes. Connell’s long throw in to the box somehow managed elude everyone to work it’s way to the back post before finding the Raith skipper.
His volley looked destined for the top corner but Jamie Smith pulled of an acrobatic save to deny the Fifer’s a second.
After a blistering start to the game, the opening 45 ended in scrappy fashion with neither side able to grab a second.
Just like the first half, Raith started brightly and retook the lead after five minutes.
2-1 Raith. Aidan Connolly wheels away after converting from the spot. pic.twitter.com/pZmxbD81lA
— Scott Lorimer (@scottlorimer89) November 5, 2022
Miko Virtanen barged in to Liam Dick with the referee pointing to the spot. Connolly was first to pick up the ball and was confident enough to slot the ball past Smith.
On 64 minutes, Sam Stanton had a glorious opportunity to wrap up the points.
The attacking midfielder created and ended the move, intercepting the play in his own half.
The ball looped up over the last defender with Stanton through on goal from the half way line.
However, his shot was just the wrong side of the post with the Accies keeper pulling of a great save, despite the referee giving a goal kick.
Raith had a couple of chances to put the tie to bed but they eventually did on 80 minutes.
Liam Dick was on hand to slot home after substitute Lewis Vaughan did well to create the opportunity.
Star man – Aidan Connolly
The tricky winger was at the heart of most of Raith’s attacking play.
Connolly was involved in the build up to his side’s first. He then had the confidence to step up from the spot to restore Rovers’ lead.
The 26-year-old never stopped running all game.
Connolly stole the show, but Dick was equally impressive.
Player ratings
MacDonald 7; Ngwenya 7, Dick 8, O’Riordan 7, Millen 7; Spencer 7 (Frederiksen 5 ), Brown 7, Easton 7 (Matthews 6), Stanton 7, Connolly 9; Connell 6 (Vaughan 7).
Subs not used: McNeil, Matthews, Mahady, Coulson, Masson.
Manager under the microscope
Ian Murray opted for the same starting XI which saw off Partick Thistle last weekend, sticking with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The Raith boss waited until the 74th minute to make his first change with Lewis Vaughan replacing Kyle Connell in a like-for-like swap. With the change soon reaping rewards.
On 86 minutes, he introduced Ross Matthews for his 150th appearance for the club, replacing goal-scorer Easton.
John Frederiksen was brought on in the final seconds of the match for Brad Spencer.
Man in the middle – Scott Lambie
The referee got the one big call in the game correct.
Virtanen may have shoulder barged Liam Dick but it was far too much force.
Lambie did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Other than the penalty call, it was a fairly routine afternoon for the whistleblower.
