Airdrie United 2 Raith Rovers 1

Last updated : 19 February 2005 By Footymad Previewer

A dramatic last-gasp winner by substitute Stephen McKeown gave Airdrie all three points in a hard-fought win over bottom club Raith Rovers.

Airdrie started the more dominant side and almost took the lead after 14 minutes when Iain Davidson mis-hit a clearance which let Owen Coyle through on goal, but his weak shot was comfortably saved by David Berthelot.

The home side were pressing hard for the opener with strikers Alan Gow, Coyle and Willie McLaren all causing the Raith defence problems.

It was McLaren's cross after 27 minutes that led to the opening goal. As the Rovers' defence failed to clear the cross properly, it fell to Marvyn Wilson on the edge of the box and his turn and shot left Berthelot helpless.

They then got back on level terms after 37 minutes when Jonathan Smart put Stephen Tulloch through on goal and he made no mistake, firing the ball home.

With only a minute left in the first half substitute David Dunn put Coyle through on goal, but again the striker's finish was poor.

Early in the second half Raith almost took the lead when substitute John Martin got in behind the home defence and forced Mark McGeown into an excellent save.

Airdrie then dominated for much of the second half, but they lacked the finishing touch in front of goal. However, the introduction of substitute McKeown changed the game in their favour as he sparked new life into the Airdrie attack.

The striker's impact was immediate as he went close in the 77th minute when he powerfully headed a McLaren corner goalwards only to see the ball headed off the line.

Then after 86 minutes the same combination gave Airdrie a dramatic winner as McLaren's corner was headed into the roof of the net by McKeown.

Airdrie held out some nervy moments in the dying seconds to claim all three points.