Alloa 2-0 Raith Rovers

Feb 24 2008 Jordan Costello At Recreation Park

RELIEVED Scott Buist erased the memory of a defensive horror show to hammer a dent in Raith's play-off hopes.

Buist slammed home Alloa's killer second to seal the points.

And he admitted his display was night and day compared to the last time he played at centre-half - when the Wasps shipped six goals.

Trialist Kyle Macaulay teamed up with supersub Adam Coakley to fire Alloa towards victory with a 49th-minute opener.

But it was Buist's day as he eased his pain and embarrassment over his display in the 6-1 drubbing to Ross County earlier this month.

The versatile star - who has been used mainly as a right-back this season - said: "I think I did just a bit better than the last time I played centre-half. Seriously, I'm just delighted we didn't concede.

"For my goal I couldn't see the net as there were lots of bodies in front of me and I just managed to pass the ball through them and luckily it has gone in."

Raith boss John McGlynn admitted his side's title challenge is over. He said: "For us now it's about getting a play-off place.

"The line between winning and losing is so thin."

Andy Scott had a shot cleared off the line by Craig Wilson after ex-Peterhead ace Macaulay broke clear as Alloa started brightly.

But Raith soon took control and in 23 minutes Steven Hislop's header was saved by Raymond Jellema. Minutes later Robert Sloan's strike was superbly blocked by Buist.

David Templeman hit the woodwork for Raith with a corner in 32 minutes before Hislop had a decent shout for a penalty.

Fraser Forrest looked like he fouled him when he was through on goal - but ref Steve Conroy waved away the hitman's appeals.

Graham Weir then played a neat ball through to Templeman but he blasted inches past.

Raith could consider themselves unlucky not to be ahead and five minutes into the second half Alloa made a shock breakthrough.

Macaulay's superb run took him past four players and he laid the ball on a plate for sub Coakley to fire low past Kieron Renton.

Coakley almost doubled his and his side's tally a short while later when clean through only to fire straight at Renton.

But Alloa extended their lead in 66 minutes when Douglas Wilson's corner caused chaos in the box. Niall Henderson failed to clear properly and the ball fell for Buist to blast home.

Raith thought they had pulled one back in 75 minutes when Iain Davidson headed Templeman's corner past Jellema.

But Conroy ruled Coakley had cleared off the line despite the ball appearing to cross it.

Alloa boss Allan Maitland said: "It's amazing the difference a win makes and we haven't given up hope of getting a play-off place."

HERO

KYLE MACAULAY appeared as a trialist after not being registered in time but no one was in any doubt who he was after his wonderful solo run created the opener for Coakley. Outstanding display from striker.

VILLAIN

NIALL HENDERSON blundered a clearance for the crucial second goal and Raith never looked like getting back into it. His team-mates weren't blameless but he gave it straight to Buist and the big defender had an easy finish.