Raith Rovers 1-0 Airdrie

Mar 16 2008 Chris Gallagher At Stark'S Park

LUCKY mascot David Goodwillie last night revealed the fruity secret of his success - he'd stuffed a melon down his shorts.

Rovers have never lost after the on-loan striker has netted and he came to their rescue again, grabbing the only goal.

But the Dundee United kid revealed his good luck charm - he'd slipped a slice of melon in his shorts rather than litter Stark's Park.

Now the on-form forward is vowing to do it every week after scoring in the first half to end a six-game losing streak that had damaged the Fifers' promotion battle.

He confessed: "I had a melon stuck in my trousers. When we were lining up I didn't want to be rude and throw it on the floor beside the steward. So I just stuck it down there and it brought me good luck. I must do it again."

It was a composed finish from the on-loan hitkid who broke upfield in 18 minutes then rounded Airdrie keeper Stephen Robertson before slotting the ball home.

He claimed that even if he'd missed Rovers should have got a penalty after he was fouled just before scoring - but an earlier booking for diving made him fight to stay on his feet.

Goodwillie said: "I was going to go down but I'd just been booked for diving. The guy did touch me but I admit I made a meal of it.

"I don't hit our penalties anyway so it would not have been my goal. So I battled to stay on my feet then stroked it away."

Rovers gaffer John McGlynn was also pleased with the young striker. He said: "David did well and showed great composure for the goal."

Victory allowed Raith to close the gap to three points on second-placed United as they kickstarted their quest for a play-off place. Stuart Noble almost gaveAirdrie a thirdminute lead, blasting wide of Chris Fahey's post from 20 yards, before Goodwillie saw a yellow for diving following Robert Donnelly's challenge.

Goodwillie scored in the 18th minute and almost made it 2-0 on the half hour with a low drive that was saved by Robertson.

Ryan Borris and David Templeton both went close for the home side before Goodwillie sliced horribly wide from eight yards in 52 minutes.

Airdrie keeper Robertson made a superb one-handed save to deny Robert Sloan late on.

Gutted Diamonds gaffer Kenny Black pulled no punches and said: "We were poor throughout.

"The team that wanted to win came out on top and they fully merited that victory.

"We were powder puff all over the park. It's back to the drawing board this week."

HERO

DAVID GOODWILLIE'S composed finish was a rare moment of quality in a scrappy match. The on-loan Dundee United kid has huge potential and goals like this won't go unnoticed by boss Craig Levein.

VILLAIN

STUART NOBLE shouldered the burden of Airdrie's attack and simply couldn't cope. Without top scorer Allan Russell, the Diamonds were hugely dependent on Noble who failed to sparkle.