Grant Anderson insisted that Raith Rovers are looking to get back into the mix for the promotion play-offs after helping the Kirkcaldy side to their third win in a row.
The winger was instrumental in the victory over Dumbarton at Stark’s Park, winning a penalty for the opener before getting himself on the scoresheet as the hosts took a deserved 2-0 lead into half-time.
Mitchel Megginson’s 81st minute strike reduced the deficit, and although Rovers were hanging on in the dying minutes, Anderson felt the first half performance merited the points.
“The first half was probably some of the best football we’ve played all season it could have been three or four,” he said.
“But as good as we were in the first half, we never really got going in the second.
“All credit to the boys though because we dug in, defended well, and ground it out.
“That’s nine points out of nine now so we’re doing well and hopefully we can make it 12 out of 12 next week.
“We’re looking up the way now, and we just want to kick on from here. I’ve always said that if you can string four or five wins together in this league you can jump two or three places.
“We want to make those jumps and stay there. Teams are dropping points so we just need to stay on top of our game every week.”
Raith controlled the first half and were unlucky not to take an 18th minute lead when Mark Stewart connected with Anderson’s knock-down six yards out but his effort struck the post.
The opener arrived in the 29th minute as Anderson’s driving run into the box resulted in him being upended by Scott Linton, and referee John McKendrick pointed to the spot.
Ryan Conroy continued his impressive penalty goal-scoring record by steering his effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Danny Rodgers.
Rovers doubled their lead just three minutes later as Calum Elliot twisted his way to the by-line and chipped a cross to the back post where the in-rushing Anderson headed over the line.
Stewart had a glorious chance to put Rovers three up five minutes after the break, collecting Martin Scott’s pass to go one-on-one with Rodgers, but the striker steered his effort wide.
Dumbarton then seized control and deservedly pulled a goal back with nine minutes left when David McGurn parried Scott Agnew’s long range strike and Megginson pounced to smash home the rebound.
The visitors piled on the pressure and Megginson should have provided the equaliser in the 85th minute but lifted his effort on to the top of the crossbar when faced with an open net from six yards out.
McGurn also made a stunning one-handed save in injury-time to keep out Agnew’s volley, and McKeown cleared Andy Graham’s follow-up header off the line, as the nervy home side survived the late Sons onslaught.
Raith boss Grant Murray said: “Before the Falkirk game I asked the players for a bit of consistency and a level of performance and they’ve done that. We dictated the game in the first half and possibly deserved to be further ahead.”