Ross County 1-1 Raith: Match Report

23 July 2016 17:34

Raith claim bonus point with shoot-out success over Ross

Raith Rovers secured a bonus point after holding Ross County to a 1-1 draw in the Betfred Cup.

The Ladbrokes Championship side opened the scoring in the 18th minute thanks to an Erik Cikos own goal but County levelled with 15 minutes left thanks to Brian Graham's penalty.

But a sudden-death penalty shoot-out went Rovers' way and ensure they top Group D with eight points from three matches.

Craig Curran shot over as County mounted some early pressure and they had a penalty claim rejected as Kyle Benedictus was accused of handling in the box.

Kevin McHattie had a header saved at the other end before the visitors took the lead when Cikos turned Lewis Vaughan's ball across the face of goal into his own net.

The Premiership side came back into it and Liam Boyce was close to converting Curran's cross before Richard Foster headed wide after a good move.

But Scott Fox was being kept busy at the other end and the County goalkeeper denied Declan McManus from close range.

Rovers started the second half well but they escaped another strong penalty appeal when their French defender, Jean-Yves M'Voto, clashed with Michael Gardyne.

Vaughan came close from several free-kicks but Raith could not hold out and Graham netted his second penalty of the competition after being brought down by Jason Thomson.

The Fifers came closest to winning it through Iain Davidson's long-range strike and a M'Voto header, but they came away with another point despite missing two penalties in the shoot-out.

The penalties went to sudden death and midfielder Ian McShane missed after McHattie had put Rovers 4-3 ahead.


Source: PA