Raith Rovers blew the chance to return to the top of the Championship when they crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Queen’s Park.
The Stark’s Park men got off to the perfect opening with a Jack Hamilton header giving them an early lead after just two minutes.
But they could not build on that fast start and teenager Cameron Bruce’s magnificent equaliser shortly before the break gave the visitors heart.
And they subsequently took all three points with a header from debutant Sean Welsh 10 minutes after the restart as Raith failed to recover.
A worrying ‘sticky patch’?
Not only did Saturday bring consecutive defeats for the first time this season, it left Raith with just one win in their last five outings.
The last time they tasted victory was that heady 1-0 success against Dundee United in mid-December.
A five-point lead at the summit of the Championship was the reward that day when expectations rose and dreams were sparked.
After that triumph, however, Rovers have succumbed to disappointing draws at home to Ayr United and Arbroath, the two teams now at the bottom of the league.
And, following a Fife derby success, back-to-back losses have followed.
After United scored late to seal three points on Friday night, Ian Murray’s side just hours later could not muster the kind of comeback they have made their trademark this term.
The Tangerines were lauded for winning whilst not playing well against Inverness – a mark of champions, it was said.
Yet Raith lost despite Murray claiming they deserved more.
Only goal difference separates the two teams at the top, although United also have a game in hand.
But if they are to meet rising expectations swollen by the excitement of the first half of the campaign, Rovers cannot afford the taste of defeat to linger.
New signing
Kyle Turner was plunged straight into the starting line-up for an instant debut after arriving on loan from Ross County.
The former Dunfermline and Partick Thistle player helped anchor Raith’s midfield in a more advanced position than Shaun Byrne, who sat in his usual place in front of the back four.
The 26-year-old was prominent in the opening exchanges, combining intelligently and skilfully with his new team-mates.
It was clear in those moments why manager Ian Murray had targeted Turner as his first January signing.
He had hit the ground running.
However, the new recruit’s influence waned as a frustrating match slipped away from all in blue in exasperating fashion.
Despite his best efforts, Turner could not find the killer pass or cross as Raith sought in vain for a late leveller.
Even his trademark set-piece deliveries deserted him when he hit one free-kick short of his targets in the Queen’s Park box.
It was too much to expect a fresh face to drag Rovers through a troublesome 90 minutes single-handedly.
But there was enough promise shown to suggest that, if Murray can get the best out of him in the right areas of the pitch, Turner can help the Stark’s Park side out of their slump.
Defensive troubles
Turner was required for an immediate start in the centre of midfield partly due to Raith’s absences both there and in defence.
Sam Stanton’s influence on Raith this season has been obvious.
Six goals in 25 appearances, including five in 11 games and three outright winners, makes him difficult to replace as he recovers from a knee injury.
That is especially so with skipper Scott Brown having to fill in as many times in defence.
He did just that again on Saturday, as Ian Murray was forced to field an unorthodox back four.
With Ross Millen suspended and Euan Murray and Keith Watson injured, Josh Mullin filled in at right-back, Brown at centre-half and Dylan Corr made just his second league appearance for the club.
With the failure to strike an agreement to hang on to Dan O’Reilly, it left a fragility in the rearguard that was exposed as Queen’s Park scored twice.
Raith have now conceded at least one goal in 11 – and more than one in five – of their last 12 games, only earning a clean sheet in the top-of-the-table showdown with Dundee United.
It is a defensive record that is vastly inferior to United’s and another four Championship clubs have leaked fewer than Rovers’ 28 goals against.
It is a problem Murray could do with finding a solution to, either tactically or with personnel, if his team is to maintain a challenge at the top of the table.
A break from the norm
Defeats usually bring determined talk from players of bouncing back as quickly as possible.
Usually, another game quickly on the horizon is welcomed as an opportunity to make amends.
On this occasion, Raith do not have another league fixture for a fortnight.
It will leave them stewing over another missed opportunity at the top of the Championship.
However, it may be that the change of scene provided by the Scottish Cup is just what is required for Rovers.
The stress of the cut and thrust of the battle with Dundee United will be replaced by a one-off encounter with a Livingston side without a victory in 13 attempts.
With a place in the last 16 of the tournament at stake, it can hardly be described as a distraction.
But with the pressure on their opponents, it would be the perfect way to boost morale if victory can be secured.
