Ross Callachan struck with the last kick of the ball to rescue a point for Raith Rovers in a hard fought 2-2 draw with Falkirk at Stark’s Park on Saturday.
The dramatic 93rd minute equaliser was the 21-year-old midfielder’s first official goal in senior football, with his only previous counter coming in a Fife Cup tie against Burntisland Shipyard in August.
“I’ve been saying before every game that I was going to score, but it wasn’t happening I kept hitting the woodwork so I stopped thinking about it,” Callachan said.
“My shots have all been good strikes from outside the box but I eventually get my first goal and it’s a tap-in. The referee said it was going to be a penalty for us if I never scored, but thankfully it went in.”
Callachan confessed that his last minute equaliser was harsh on visitors Falkirk, who led twice and dominated for long spells against a Kirkcaldy side that looked weary after last week’s cup heroics at Ibrox.
“The boys aren’t happy but that just shows you how well we’ve been doing,” he said.
“Maybe it was just a hangover from going to Ibrox and getting a win.”
Both sides went into the match in good form with Rovers unbeaten in six and full of confidence after knocking Rangers out the Scottish Cup, while Falkirk had lost only once in 12, ironically against Raith on December 27.
Falkirk took the lead on 23 minutes when Kevin Moon clipped Rory Loy in the box and referee Barry Cook pointed to the spot.
John Baird took the penalty and sent David McGurn the wrong way for his third goal against his former club in three consecutive games.
There was a let off for McGurn on 36 minutes as he threw the ball against Craig Sibbald, leaving Tom Taiwo with an unguarded net from 25 yards, but fortunately for the Raith keeper his effort was deflected wide.
After a bright start, Raith had fallen out of the game and they needed McGurn to be at his best a minute into the second half as he got a strong left hand to Loy’s low drive after the striker peeled away from his marker in the box.
Rovers equalised on the hour mark as Callachan made a break down the left, crossing for Grant Anderson, whose shot was heading wide until Will Vaulks stuck out a leg and bundled it over his own line.
Raith took a lift from the goal and should have gone ahead on 64 minutes when great work from Christian Nade set up Ryan Conroy for a free shot at goal from 12 yards, but the winger’s mishit was easily gathered.
Falkirk regained the lead four minutes later as the Raith defence failed to pick up David McCracken at a corner and the big centre-half headed past McGurn.
An equaliser seemed unlikely until Callachan struck with the last kick.
Stewart’s cross was controlled by Nade, who was brought down by McCracken, and as referee Cook weighed up the Frenchman’s penalty claims, the ball broke to Callachan, who coolly side-footed home.