Raith Rovers have had a crushing dose of reality in the last two weeks.
A 5-2 reverse at home to Queen’s Park – following the defeat at Dens Park the week before – leaves Ian Murray’s side seventh in the Scottish Championship.
Those two defeats followed a run of form that saw them rise to third just two weeks ago.
Aidan Connolly’s double on Saturday was irrelevant by the time he netted the second, with Queen’s taking their chances at crucial times.
Courier Sport looks at some talking points following the game.
Bizarre match
Murray’s team had the second best defensive record in the league going into this match.
That was blown away by a potent Queen’s Park attack, meaning Raith conceded 24% of their league goals in this loss alone.
Owen Coyle’s side scored from all five of their shots on target. They were lucky to be level at half-time, never mind ahead.
They cannot be begrudged their victory after all but killing the game with their first attack of the second half.
Murray said that while the manner of the defeat was an anomaly Rovers still have to look at where they went wrong in allowing Queen’s Park into those positions in the first place.
After a good run of defensive performances, they have conceded seven goals in two matches.
Their day was in an attacking sense was summed up by one of their final attacks, even though a goal at that stage would have counted for little.
Queen’s Park clear the ball off the line three times:
Lewis Vaughan
It was something wasn’t easily brought up post-match after a heavy defeat at home but there was genuine cause to stop and recognise the achievement for Lewis Vaughan.
What he has gone through doesn’t need to be repeated but for him to start a match, let alone play the entire 90 minutes, and play well, cannot be ignored.
The forward was chosen to lead the line and linked well with Aidan Connolly and Sam Stanton in the first half.
He hit the side netting early on and set up Ethan Ross for a chance with a run in behind before playing his part in Connolly’s opener.
Connolly opens the scoring:
In the second half he was joined in attack by Jamie Gullan – himself returning from injury – before dropping into the No 10.
He came within inches of capping off his return with a goal at 3-1.
Vaughan’s second-half chance:
He then slipped in Gullan with a clever through ball, with the striker inches away from scoring.
Gullan goes close:
Vaughan came through the match unscathed and his performance is one of the few positives from the afternoon.
A chance to try something new
The upcoming fixture at home to Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup is one where Murray will likely give minutes to some fringe players.
He may now also use it as an opportunity to try something different – Murray has shown he isn’t afraid to change things.
After defeat to Inverness earlier in the season, Murray successfully changed his set-up.
Will we see another switch in formation from Murray?
Personnel-wise Ryan Nolan will likely be given a chance – this was probably the case regardless of Saturday’s result, but now has the opportunity to regain his place.
The Irish defender lost his place through injury and has had to wait for a chance since his return.
That was until the, until then, solid defensive line was ruthlessly exposed by Queen’s Park.
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