Posted December 23, 2013

 

It was perhaps poetic justice that Kane Hemmings grabbed an injury time equaliser at Starks Park on Saturday given the number of times we have conceded late goals to the Kirkcaldy side in recent times.

 

Derby games with the Rovers over the last few seasons have rarely been boring games and Saturday's 90 minutes once again provided fans of both sides plenty of drama and hair raising minutes.

 

Greg Stewart gave us the lead after just 11 minutes when he slotted home the rebound after Raith Keeper Ross Laidlaw could only parry a Kyle Miller shot.

 

Despite having the better of the half we allowed Rovers back into the game after 32 minutes when former Central Parker Dougie Hill headed home from a corner out jumping both Kenny Adamson and Grant Adam.

 

The home side had the better of the second period and took the lead in Calum Elliot fired the ball home from six yards after being set up by Booth.

 

With 16 minutes remaining we got a lifeline when keeper Laidlaw brought Kyle Miller down needlessly on the touchline and despite having a penalty saved the previous week Kane Hemmings had no hesitation in stepping up to slot home our equaliser from the 12 yard mark.

 

However with just seven minutes remaining Thomas O'Brien, who returned to the starting line up with Nat Wedderburn still side lined, was judged to have fouled Hill and Callum Booth slotted home the resultant spot kick.

 

As the clock wound down it looked like we would be leaving the Lang Toon pointless but a Jamie Stevenson cross into the box saw a mix up by Hill and Laidlaw which allowed Hemmings to roll the ball home, in what appeared to be slow motion for the Cowden fans in the Val McDiarmid Stand!, for his 15th goal of the season.

 

The drama was not over and with the last kick of the ball Gordon Smith fired in a powerful shot which was cleared off the line by Dean Brett to ensure what could prove to be a vital point come the end of the season.

 

The result saw us move six points clear of bottom side Morton who lost 2-0 at home to Falkirk. Next up for Jimmy Nicholl's side is a visit from Queen of the South on Saturday and with the Doonhamers being just four points ahead of us in the Championship its a big game for both sides.

 

Report: Andrew Mullen.
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