Dundee United’s woeful form continued with a third loss in eight days.
The Tangerines were unable to improve on their lacklustre display against St Mirren in midweek and slumped to another defeat against a relegation-threatened side.
Rovers’ went 2-0 up with goals either side of the half-time break from Craig Barr and Ryan Hardie and a late strike from Simon Murray proved only to be a scant consolation.
There were four changes to the starting line-up but it was old problems that continue to bring United down.
Barr’s opener came from a set-piece when he was able to head home unchallenged.
And Raith’s second was another free-kick goal when striker Hardie reacted first to a ball that had broken in the box.
Murray’s goal with 10 minutes left came after a Willo Flood free-kick was headed away but it was too little too late and, if anything, Raith should have stretched their lead again, with Barr hitting the post.
Rovers are now five points off the bottom of the table and four away from the play-off position.
United are 11 points away from Hibs. Automatic promotion is surely beyond them and they can be thankful that Queen of the South are not putting pressure on them in fourth.
