Raith Rovers 0-4 Hearts RECAP: Mackay-Steven double leads visitors to final day victory
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.
Scroll down for our live coverage of the game…
Raith v Hearts LIVE: Updates from Stark’s Park
Key Events
- Last game of the Championship season
- Raith need win to guarantee second
Almost a goal for the visitors. Tumilty whips in a perfect cross that alludes both Souttar and Gordon. Spencer sees the cross just a little too late and, with the goal at his mercy, comes back off him and out for a goal kick.
Hearts appeal for a penalty after Halliday, again from a free-kick, strikes the wall. Replays show that it was actually the foot of Gullan as the on-loan Hibs striker managed to clear with a flying kick.
Off the bar! Halliday curls a terrific free-kick that has MacDonald beaten easily, only to see it come back off the crossbar.
25th min
A yellow for Mendy with Hearts claiming it should have been a red. The defender took down Henderson right as he was bursting into the centre of the box at a central area. There was certainly a case to be made, though Davidson’s presence as a covering defender probably persuaded referee Munro from sending the player off.
A good diagonal from Smith picks out Boyce going one-on-one against Davidson inside the Raith penalty box. He gets some decent power in the attempt but it’s right at MacDonald.
GOAL FOR HEARTS!
The visitors take the lead with the first chance of the game in the 11th minute. A great run by Mackay-Steven is picked out by Smith. The attacker composes himself, opens his body up and bends his strike beyond MacDonald.
It’s a little harsh on Raith, who had started the match looking a bit sharper than their visitors, but you can’t deny the quality in the Hearts ranks.
Robbie speaks
The Hearts boss reckons the game should suit his side as the onus is on Raith to come out as they need the victory. He also explained the presence of Souttar as being a vital part of the new 3-4-1-2 formation he’s been using recently. It certainly has been good having the Scottish international back in the fold.
Raith team
J. MacDonald, Tumilty, K. MacDonald, Davidson, Mendy, Benedictus, Hendry, Vaughan, Spencer, King, Gullan.
Subs: Thomson, Armstrong, Duku, Abraham, Kennedy, Cooney, Ugwu.
Team analysis
It’s only one change from the team who laid waste to Inverness CT in the first half on Saturday as Henderson comes in for the injured Gnanduillet. Kastaneer comes onto the bench.
It’s clear Neilson wants to finish the season on a high and isn’t interested in making things easier for Raith as the hosts pursue second place.
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