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Raith Rovers 0-4 Hearts RECAP: Mackay-Steven double leads visitors to final day victory

Hearts ended the season on a high as a double from Gary Mackay-Steven and goals from Euan Henderson and Steven Naismith gave the visitors victory over Raith Rovers.
Hearts defeated Raith Rovers 4-0 the last time the teams met at Stark's Park. Picture: SNSHearts defeated Raith Rovers 4-0 the last time the teams met at Stark's Park. Picture: SNS
Hearts defeated Raith Rovers 4-0 the last time the teams met at Stark's Park. Picture: SNS

The result means Robbie Neilson’s side finish the campaign 12 points ahead of the nearest challengers, who happened to be Dundee as the Dens Park side took full advantage of the result in Kirkcaldy to pip Raith into second place.

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Raith v Hearts LIVE: Updates from Stark’s Park

Key Events

  • Last game of the Championship season
  • Raith need win to guarantee second

It’s all over! Hearts end the campaign on a high with a comprehensive victory over Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.

GMS should have a hat-trick. A perfectly-weighted clipped ball from Irving finds the attacker running in at the back post. His header is right at MacDonald from six yards.

Hearts have the ball in the net for a fifth time but the linesman’s flag comes up as Naismith taps across for Boyce.

Mackay-Steven has four goals in six days. This one, however, was all about Boyce. He beats one defender, plays a perfect one-two with Naismith and fires a ball across goal that Mackay-Steven just has to turn into an empty net.

Naismith didn’t have to wait long for another crack and this time he makes no mistake. Spencer plays an ill-advised pass inside his own box. Boyce is able to shield and then flick into the path of Naismith, who flicks it himself beyond MacDonald for a third.

Halliday sets up Naismith to crack the crossbar from inside the penalty box.

Naismith, who is considering his retirement, could be making his final appearance as he replaces Henderson.

Henderson knocks it back to Boyce running toward the centre of goal. The Northern Irishman delays his shot a little and when it does strike there is a deflection that takes the sting out of it just a little, allowing MacDonald to gather.

Halkett blasts the penalty off the bar. It remains 2-0.

RED CARD AND PENALTY!

This one is as good as done. It’s very harsh on Davidson, who doesn’t make contact with Henderson as the youngster tries to get to the ball ahead of him. But the referee red the situation wrong and gave the defender his marching orders.

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