Ray McKinnon’s Rovers return saw his ten-man Dundee United side miss a late penalty in an entertaining blood-and-thunder affair that had everything apart from a goal. But another former Stark’s Park employee could have cost the visitors their excellent recent run after Lewis Toshney was sent off.
McKinnon was poached by United from Kirkcaldy in the summer and wasn’t afforded the most generous of welcomes by his former team in Fife. But it looked likely that United — who had to play the last 35 minutes with ten men — would snatch an unlikely win when they were awarded a late penalty.
But on-loan Norwich City midfielder Tony Andreu saw his spot-kick kept out by his old Hamilton Accies teammate Kevin Cuthbert, who produced a brilliant save. However, McKinnon took plenty of positives as his side maintained their unbeaten run.
He said: “It’s a tough place to come. I think we’re actually a bit disappointed we never got the three points, but that’s six clean sheets in a row for us and I’ve got nothing but praise for the boys in there. Lewis is adamant he never touched him for the second yellow card. I thought the ref was poor today and I don’t usually say that.
“We had a chat at half-time about managing his emotions and I thought he done it great. He says he’s pulled out of it, but I’d like to have another look at it. There’s no blame with Tony Andreu. He’s been great for us and it was a fantastic save.”
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United had a huge let-off in the last minute of the first half when tricky wing play from Chris Johnston provided a great chance for Rudi Skacel who adjusted his position to chest the ball against the bar.
The visitors’ troubles deepened ten minutes into the second half when former Rovers defender Toshney was shown a second yellow card after he collided with Bobby Barr, who had cut across him. He’d already been booked for a tackle on Kyle Benedictus.
But United were handed a glorious chance to snatch an unlikely winner when ref Steven Kirkland harshly adjudged Benedictus had bundled over United sub Simon Murray in the box. Andreu’s 75th minute penalty wasn’t poor, it was low and into the corner, but Cuthbert made a superb stop, pushing the ball around his post.
Rovers boss Gary Locke said: “It certainly wasn’t a dull 0-0 that’s for sure. Both teams had chances and I was really pleased with the way we played against a really good side. I didn’t think it was a penalty for them, but I thought we deserved the break of saving the penalty. It was a fantastic save.”
Star man: Iain Davidson (Raith Rovers)
Raith Rovers: Cuthbert 8, Davidson 7, M’voto 7, Benedictus 6, McHattie 6, Johnston 7, Thompson 6, Callachan 6, Skacel 7 (Stewart 71min, 6), Barr 7 (Coustrain 90min, 6), McManus 5 (Vaughan 83min, 6)
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Dundee United: Bell 7, Toshney 4, Durnan 6, Edjenguelle 7, Robson 6, Telfer 6 (Murray 64min, 5), Flood 7, Spittal 6, Andreu 6, Fraser 6, Obadeyi 5 (Dillon 57min, 5)