Raith Rovers 0-1 Queen's Park

Mar 30 2008 Ally Graham At Stark'S Parks

DEJECTED boss John McGlynn claimed Raith's recent hot streak now counts for nothing after they were mugged by Mark Ferry.

Ferry dented 10-man Rovers' play-off hopes and eased the visitors' lingering relegation fears with a shock second-half winner.

But McGlynn was angry that his misfiring team didn't take their chances and follow up wins over leaders Ross County and play-off rivals Airdrie in the last two games.

McGlynn said: "This result puts all our recent hard work to waste.

"We should have been a goal or two up at half-time but credit to Queen's who are a capable side. It was a frustrating day and I'm not saying we didn't work hard but we didn't do enough to win."

The win completed a double for Queen's at Stark's Park this term.

And beaming defender Stephen Reilly said: "Our confidence is rising and we could climb further up the table."

Rovers opened well and in six minutes a short back-header by Reilly let in David Templeton but the striker couldn't beat keeper Zander Cowie from six yards.

The Hampden team's first real attack came in 22 minutes when Paul Paton tried his luck from 25 yards. Kieron Renton held his effort comfortably though.

Two minutes later the Kirkcaldy side should have gone in front.

Steven Hislop sent over an inviting cross that Reilly cleared.

It fell to Chris Silvestro whose shot shaved Cowie's right-hand post.

Hislop caused problems again on the half hour and Cowie had to parry away his wicked cross.

The best chance of the half also fell to the home side.

Templeton showed good skill on the wing and crossed for David Goodwillie but Paton's superb last-ditch tackle prevented the Raith No.10 scoring.

Queen's began the second half brighter and eight minutes in striker Stuart McGrady left Marco Pelosi for dead but his left-foot shot failed to trouble Renton.

However, in 64 minutes the Raith keeper was picking the ball out of his net. Playmaker Alan Trouten fed Paul Cairney and the young midfielder skinned Pelosi outside the box.

He ran along the byeline and his inch-perfect cutback found Ferry who fired a right-foot shot home from 12 yards.

McGlynn's side were rattled but almost levelled three minutes later. Robert Sloan picked up a loose ball 30 yards out and let fly but Cowie palmed to safety.

Spiders almost doubled their lead in 71 minutes only for Pelosi to clear Trouten's goal-bound effort off the line.

At the other end Cowie came to their rescue again. This time sub Graham Weir tried an 18-yard snap-shot that the No.1 smothered.

The Fifers continued to chase an equaliser and nearly got it when Sloan's corner found Hislop at the front post. His downward header went inches past.

Raith then had a penalty claim turned down in 86 minutes when a Silvestro shot seemed to strike a Queen's arm - but the referee waved play on.

It was getting desperate for Rovers and defender Mark Campbell's bullet header from Sloan's corner with a minute left forced Cowie into another fine stop. It wasn't to be Raith's day though and right at the death their frustration got the better of them.

Ryan Borris saw red for diving and Campbell followed him into the book for dissent.

Spiders gaffer Gardner Speirs said: "It's a massive win and gives us a huge boost. Our defending was first class and the goal was worthy of winning any match."

HERO

STEPHEN REILLY has puth is injury problems behind him if this wonderful performance is anything to go by. Last season's skipper won every header and didn't give the Raith strikers a sniff all afternoon.

VILLAIN

MARCO PELOSI was turned inside out by Paul Cairney for the winning goal. The normally composed Rovers left-back never recovered and had an all-round nervy day - one he'll want to forgot.