Scottish Championship: Could Raith Rovers beat Dundee United to the title?

Jamie Gullan's 94th-minute penalty delivered Raith's ninth league win last Saturday

Week in, week out, the Scottish Championship serves up unmatched entertainment. Raith Rovers have fitted the bill as the Surprise, Surprise package and The Late Late Show.

The Kirkcaldy club, who welcome Partick Thistle to Stark's Park on Friday live on BBC Scotland, have the chance to overtake league leaders Dundee United for the first time.

Relentless Rovers are motoring in their best start to a season in nearly 30 years and currently trail United by a point.

So, with the opportunity to top the table, even if just for a few hours, we have a look at whether Ian Murray's side are champions in the making.

• Queen's Park host Dundee Utd live on BBC Scotland

Shrewd signings & never-say-die spirit

Nine wins from 13 games, 22 goals scored, just one defeat and 30 points accrued. Not bad for a team few pinned as the potential title challengers they're proving to be.

Murray's meticulous moves in the summer flew under the radar a little. Perhaps because they were the only side who had nothing to play for on that fantastically frantic final day of last season. But it's paying dividends so far.

His impressive early business caught the eye. Bringing in the experience of Josh Mullin and Keith Watson and the youth of Kevin Dabrowski and Callum Smith before the end of June was the sign of a club far from content with merely lingering around in the Championship. This is a side with ambition.

The numbers above do much of the heavy lifting, but what is arguably most admirable is the attitude and application of Rovers. There is a never-say-die mentality in the ranks.

With five minutes left last Saturday in the Highlands, it appeared Duncan Ferguson's Inverness Caley Thistle were headed for a 1-0 victory. Ten minutes later, Rovers' celebrations - which no doubt continued on the long road home - erupted after a dramatic 2-1 victory for the visitors.

Scenes, that are a signature of Raith this season.

The opening-day equaliser from young Kieran Mitchell - now on loan at East Fife - against Partick Thistle. The last-gasp winner from local lad Lewis Vaughan in the first of two thrillers against Queen's Park. The halting of the 23-year ICT hoodoo by Jamie Gullan, which led to the dismissal of Billy Dodds. The dramatic Fife derby winner from Sam Stanton. The audacious Panenka penalty from Ross Millen at Hampden.

Fourteen points have been garnered from the 85th minute onwards. That's the mindset of champions.

Two-team title race?

Murray won't welcome that sort of chat, though. Yet. But it is being applauded.

Rovers progressed to the fourth round of the Scottish Cup last month with a convincing victory over Dunfermline, their second win at the home of their rivals this season. Former Scotland internationals James McFadden and Michael Stewart were extremely impressed by their industry.

"Rovers look like a side used to winning. Their work-rate is phenomenal." McFadden said.

"There's been lots of quality from Raith Rovers, but it's the work-rate that will really please Ian Murray," added Stewart.

There is a streetwise swagger about the Stark's Park side. It's a quality that cannot be underestimated in a league that resembles a survival of the fittest contest more than a beauty pageant.

They know what they're doing in this division. Flirting with top spot may be unchartered territory for most, but they're taking it in their stride so far.

A spell, even as short as a few hours, at the summit would cement the intent of Murray's men, who look one of the best sides in a notoriously challenging division.

It's all set up for a cracking tussle on Friday night. And former Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall believes a Rovers victory - moving them them eight points clear of the Firhill side in third - would make a title chase a two-team contest.

"If Raith Rovers beat Thistle on Friday then the top two will be quite far away from third place, which is very unusual for the Championship at this stage of the season," the Clyde manager told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"So it's a big game for both. Ian Murray has done really well. They've got five or six boys that can manipulate the ball. It should be a terrific game, but Thistle can't afford to get beaten if they have ideas of contesting for the title."