Raith Rovers 3 Dumbarton 2

Last updated : 03 December 2005 By Footymad Previewer

Raith Rovers won their first home game since mid-September with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Dumbarton in an incident-packed Starks Park encounter.

Dumbarton, unbeaten in their last six games, began the game in sprightly fashion with Ryan Borris twice testing Raith keeper Ally Brown in the opening 20 minutes.

It was Raith, however, who opened the scoring in the 25th minute, despite having failed to trouble Sons' goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay during the initial period.

A low cross from Brian Fairbairn on the right was mis-handled by Grindlay, the ball eventually falling to Neil Jablonski who was left with the simple task of tapping the ball into the empty net from close range.

The home side increased their advantage six minutes later, Laurie Ellis releasing Paul McManus who was left with time to turn and place his shot beyond the exposed Grindlay.

Raith looked to be in command at this stage but, remarkably, lost two goals in the closing stages of the first half, both scored by Andy Rodgers.

The Dumbarton frontman reduced the deficit after 39 minutes, heading home from a Borris cross and the same player equalised seconds before the half-time whistle, sending a powerful header past Brown from a Borris corner.

Raith powered forward in the second half in their quest for a winner, the breakthrough coming 13 minutes from the end when a Brian Fairbairn shot deflected off substitute Iain Davidson and into the net.

Sons' midfielder Chris Gentile received a straight red card for serious misconduct in the 85th minute, then Rodgers scorned a chance to level the scores in injury time, the striker missing a penalty kick awarded after he had been brought down by Ellis.