Match Report - By Steven Mew

The never-say-die attitude of the City players in recent weeks continued yesterday afternoon as they fought back to earn a thoroughly deserved point against league favourites Raith Rovers.

Manager Darren Dods handed a first start to loanee Callum Hendry at the expense of Boris Melingui, whilst Aron Lynas came into the side for Sean Burns who was unavailable.

City started brightly and Jordan Sinclair was quick to test Kieran Wright with a rasping 20 yard drive but the Raith keeper was equal to his shot - pushing the ball away for a corner.

The visitors rarely threatened Brennan in the first half and their only real effort of note came on 13 minutes as Grant Gillespie struck wide of the target.

On the quarter hour mark Callum Tapping almost took advantage of a short pass back by Nat Wedderburn but Wright was off his line quickly to block.

On 22 minutes Andy Jackson advanced forward with the ball before playing in strike partner Callum Hendry however his left foot effort was kept out by the feet of Wright.

Although the play in general was fairly even, the visitors were struggling in the final third - in fact Conor Brennan had very little to do during the first period with no real saves of note.

Callum Tapping tried to catch out Wright straight from the kick off with an audacious effort but the Raith keeper peddled back to gather.

Four minutes into the second half Ryan McGeever met a cross from Callum Tapping however the big defender could only guide his header straight into the grateful arms of Wright.

The Kirkcaldy side started to come into the game and two minutes later Brennan made his first real save of the game to tip over a dipping free kick from Lewis Vaughan. From the resulting corner, Kevin Nisbet shot straight at Brennan who gathered with ease.

The visitors had the ball in the net when Chris Duggan drilled the ball home following good set up play from Nisbet however the linesman had already flagged for offside.

City were dealt a blow in the 65th minute when referee Scott Millar pointed to the spot when Duggan went down following an aerial duel in the box. Despite the protestations of the City players, KEVIN NISBET stepped up to take the spot kick and he confidently dispatched the ball high into the corner despite Brennan guessing the side correctly.

The home side immediately pushed forward in search of an equaliser with Tapping trying his luck from the edge of the box but his shot was straight at Wright.

Kalvin Orsi was next to have a go when his volley was easily gathered by the Raith keeper and the same player cut inside two minutes later only to see his effort hit the side netting.

Despite City dominating at this stage, Raith still posed a threat on the counter attack and Brennan had to be alert to save a Chris Duggan shot low at his near post.

In a similar fashion to recent weeks, City continued to plug away and got their reward with an equaliser just three minutes from time. Callum Tapping curled a free kick into the box which was headed beyond the keeper by BORIS MELINGUI for his 4th goal in as many games.

With a win and two draws against arguably the three strongest sides in the league, Darren Dods will be satisfied with his sides return of 5 points from a difficult run of matches.

Next up for City is a short trip down the A90 to take on Forfar Athletic next Saturday in the third local derby of the season.