Raith Rovers 2-3 Inverness CT: Nine-minute Alex Samuel hat-trick dents hosts' title hopes

On-loan Ross County striker Alex Samuel scored three goals in nine first-half minutes

Alex Samuel's incredible first-half hat-trick dented Raith Rovers' Scottish Championship title hopes as Inverness Caledonian Thistle won a five-goal thriller at Stark's Park.

Jack Hamilton opened the scoring before Samuel's three goals in a remarkable nine-minute spell turned the game.

Lewis Vaughan gave the hosts hope after the break, but Duncan Ferguson's side held firm to inflict a third straight league defeat on second-placed Raith.

Inverness stay eighth in the table.

But the win moves Ferguson's side six points clear of bottom club Arbroath, while Raith are now one point off Dundee United having played a game more than the leaders.