Summary

  • Raith, sixth, five points off third-placed Ayr

  1. Goodnightpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    FT: Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    That's all from me on the live text tonight.

    Go enjoy your weekend!

  2. Looked like they'd been practising for the rugby - Bullenpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    FT: Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Ayr United manager Lee Bullen on BBC's Sportscene:

    "It's a game where both managers are walking away with frustration," he said.

    "I felt we shaded the first half, but they had us on the rack for 15-20 minutes in that second half, and that's where I saw a lot of resilience to stay in the game.

    "When you miss a penalty and the guilt-edged header at the end, big Dipo's kicking himself, we're disappointed.

    "It's a clean sheet against a very consistent team, but there's lots of frustration. They had a lot of chances, but it looked like they'd been practising for the rugby this weekend.

    "There's so much belief in the squad, and I've got so much belief in the players. They'll come strong."

  3. Both teams lacked a killer instinct - Murraypublished at 21:57 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    FT: Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray on BBC's Sportscene:

    "Didn't think there was much in the game," he said. "Both teams tried to win the game, and both teams lacked that killer instinct and quality in the final third.

    "It looked a penalty at the time," Murray said about the penalty that was given. "On our ones, the handball is a stonewall penalty kick - I can't think why the referee hasn't given it.

    "It's frustrating, but it's part and parcel of football. The players worked incredibly hard and it's a good save from Jamie. We take the point and move on.

    "[Play-offs] have to be [the aim]. It only takes a couple of wins in this league. We go to Firhill next looking to push on."

  4. The goals will come - Albinsonpublished at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    FT: Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Jamie MacDonald's opposite number Charlie Albinson has also been giving his thoughts to BBC Scotland:

    "We wanted to try to win the game," he said. "We've had some good chances, but it's a tough place to come, so we've got to be happy with the point.

    "It was a good save to be fair, but we've had chances after that so I think we were unlucky not to take the three points.

    "They've got good players and good quality, but fortunately tonight they didn't really test me. We've got goals in the team, so they will start coming again soon."

  5. It's a big point - MacDonaldpublished at 21:49 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    FT: Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    The man of the moment Jamie MacDonald has been talking to BBC Scotland post-match:

    "It was nice," he said. "The win would've been better, but I'll take the penalty save and clean sheet on my 500th appearance.

    "We had an idea that was the side he was going to go. There's been a few this season when I've gone the right way and not got there. Thankfully tonight I got my hand to it - it's a big point and keeps our [unbeaten] run going.

    "It's always nice to contribute in the game. I don't think it was our best performance tonight. We've got a great resolve about us and hopefully we can keep it going until the end of the season."

    Jamie MacDonald in actionImage source, SNS
  6. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Headed away, and that is that at Stark's Park.

    Raith probably played the better stuff, but Ayr had the better of the chances - Ben Dempsey missed from the spot, and Dipo Akinyemi headed a glorious chance late on.

  7. Postpublished at 93 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    30 seconds left in Kirkcaldy.

    The hosts have a corner...

  8. PLAYER OF THE MATCHpublished at 92 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    James McFadden has given Jamie MacDonald Player of the Match for his penalty save.

    It's the Raith keeper's 500th career appearance tonight - one to remember.

  9. What a miss!published at 88 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Dipo Akinyemi fluffs his lines!

    It's a glorious ball in from Reece McAlear, straight on to the head of his big number nine, but Akinyemi can only head wide from six yards out.

    He was completely unmarked...

  10. Postpublished at 84 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    It's nice and warm at my desk Amy!

    A goal would warm the spirits at Stark's Park, I'm sure.

  11. Cold in Kirkcaldypublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Scotland at Stark's Park

    Ian Murray about to turn to his bench again...

    Fair play to the players heading on, it's one of those bitter cold nights I'd be saying 'gaffer, no the night, please'...

    Freezing.

  12. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Here's a look at Ben Dempsey's penalty that Jamie MacDonald turned to safety.

    Will either side find a winner as we enter the the final 10 minutes?

    Ben Dempsey penalty is savedImage source, SNS
  13. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Chris Maguire is on for Ayr and his first act is to buy an incredibly soft free-kick.

    He's a wily old fox.

  14. Postpublished at 21:15 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Scotland at Stark's Park

    I don't know how many more opportunities Dylan Easton wants!

    He's shifted into a traditional number 10 role, and is finding so much space.

  15. Postpublished at 67 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Dylan Easton skies another shot from inside the box after Aidan Connolly's pass opens up the Ayr defence.

    It's not his night, and another (admittedly more difficult) chance for Easton flies off target.

    Are Raith heading for yet another draw on this unbeaten run?

  16. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    A gorgeous, flowing move from the hosts carves Ayr open, but Dylan Easton's shot flies over the bar again.

    They do play some good stuff, do Rovers.

    He'll be annoyed not to hit the target.

  17. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Goncalves is indeed on for Raith, as predicted by my colleague.

    Do you see any goals in the near future, Amy?

  18. Subs inboundpublished at 21:05 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Scotland at Stark's Park

    Changes are coming shortly.

    Esmael Goncalves is getting prepared for Raith while it looks like Chris Maguire may be coming on for his Ayr United debut.

  19. CLOSE!published at 57 mins

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Dylan Easton thought he'd scored!

    He's been bright all night, and fires a wicked, dipping, swerving shot just over the bar.

    It rippled the roof of Charlie Albinson's net.

  20. Postpublished at 21:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 February 2023

    Raith Rovers 0-0 Ayr United

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Scotland at Stark's Park

    Well, what a start to the second half!

    That penalty save from Jamie MacDonald has really rallied the home support again.