RANGERS three game winless run was brought to an end against the Raith Rovers side that dumped them out of the Scottish Cup two weeks ago.
Andy Murdoch’s spectacular first goal for Gers helped the Light Blues to a 2-1 victory at Stark’s Park. Kris Boyd added the second under the floodlights, as he scored for the first time in the Championship since October 25, before Ryan Conroy got one in return for Rovers.
The relief told as Rangers picked up a vital three points to raise them back above Hibernian in the table by a point with two games in hand. Kenny McDowall’s men were unlucky not to score more with their hatful of chances.
Nicky Clark attempted to bring the game alive in the tenth minute after a mute opening. Lee Wallace combined with him on the edge of the area but the recalled striker shot way high from distance.
There had been little but scraps for the Rangers forward line to feed off, but Boyd went inches close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute. Wallace was involved again, whipping a cross onto the head of the striker, which he pummelled against the cross bar.
A minute later Sebastian Faure was called into quick action with a last ditch sliding tackle on the Raith number nine. Mark Stewart had jumped through one on one with Lee Robinson after Marius Zaliukas misjudged the ball, letting the striker slip in behind.
Clark was determined to look lively and was lurking at the back post on 22 minutes, when Haris Vuckic curled a free kick towards him. But the diminutive forward nodded his effort wide as both sides still scrabbled for an opener. And it was Clark who tried his luck again when Boyd cut back for him and he dragged his shot just wide of the same post moments later.
35 minutes had just ticked onto the clock when Murdoch opened the scoring after being involved in the build up with Wallace and Nicky Law. When he received the ball on the edge of the area the 20-year old’s composure could have seen him mistaken for the most experienced player on the pitch. He took one touch before unleashing a screamer of a strike that curled into the top right hand corner.
Despite starting the game energetically Raith failed to deliver any more impetus than their early forays into the Rangers box as the game became very much one way traffic. And the second period started much the same as Clark looked to follow Murdoch’s lead and create the spectacular. The goal scorer put a pass over the back four but the frontman could only send his volley wide.
Boyd’s long awaited search for his first league goal since October was ended in the 55th minute. The striker toe poked the ball over the line to end his drought in front of goal, after some clever play from the frontline.
Clark, Boyd and Vuckic all combined before Wallace received the ball on the left of the area. Vuckic looked set to pull the trigger but the Ayrshire man took control as he was still looking to adjust his feet and turned away to the travelling Light Blues to celebrate in relief.
Lee Robinson needed to be on his toes to maintain his clean sheet a few minutes later as he raced out of his area to save with his legs and Rovers fluffed their follow up. And at the other end David McGurn was required to paw away a right footed shot with some sting from Vuckic.
Faure then went close but McGurn was quick with his hands once again. Rangers were looking lively and Vuckic continued the peppering of the Raith goal with a shot straight at the keeper – Law could only chest the rebound wide.
Gers sustained pressure could only last so long and Raith broke free with just over 20 minutes left to play. Ryan Conroy picked the ball up 25-yards out and his scooped right footed shot nicked off left-back Wallace to drift beyond Robinson and give the Fife side a lifeline that they ultimately couldn’t take.
RANGERS: Robinson, Faure, McCulloch (McGregor 45”), Zaliukas, Wallace, Murdoch, Hutton, Clark (Shiels 87”), Vuckic, Law, Boyd (Daly 90”).
Subs not used: Simonsen, Smith, Black, Templeton
Goals: Murdoch 35”, Boyd 55”
Yellows: Vuckic 32”
RAITH ROVERS: McGurn, Thomson, Watson, Hill, Anderson (Vaughan 90”), Moon (Fox 71”), Stewart, Callachan, Conroy, McKeown, Nade
Subs not used: Cuthbert, Scott, Robertson, Matthews, Barr
Goals: Conroy 69”