Summary

  • Rudden slots dominant Rovers into a first-half lead

  • Mullin heads the visitors further ahead after the break

  • Substitute Bird's superb strike pulls one back for the hosts

  • McIntosh heads home equaliser after goalkeeping error

  • Stowe fires Arbroath's winner

  • Rovers stay second in Scottish Championship behind Dundee United on goal difference

  • Arbroath now four points adrift at bottom

  • The hosts' first win in 10 games

  1. Good night!published at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Well, what just happened there then?

    Raith Rovers just blew a two-goal lead, and the chance to move into first-place, against the league's bottom-club is one thing.

    The next is that Arbroath, who have not won a game at home since September 2023, just completed an incredible second half comeback to pick up their first win of 2024 in March. They now sit just four points behind ninth-place Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

    The Scottish Championship, eh? The best in the world.

    That's us for tonight. See ya tomorrow!

    Until then, here's the game-winner from Mark Stowe. Enjoy...

    Media caption,

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

  2. Postpublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Some personal news before we wrap up for the night, I completed the post-match of this live text from the hallway floor in my flat because I thought I heard a mouse in my gaff.

    Can't fault the wee guy for wanting to watch the best league in the world, can I?

  3. What's on tomorrow?published at 22:05 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    That’s just one of five Scottish Championship clashes done and dusted this weekend, here’s a reminder of the four still to come tomorrow.

    • Airdrieonians v Queen’s Park
    • Dunfermline Athletic v Ayr United
    • Greenock Morton v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
    • Partick Thistle v Dundee United

    We'll have coverage from across the grounds, as well as five Premiership fixtures in the afternoon.

  4. Life comes at you fast...published at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Raith's Josh Mullin celebrates as he scores to make it 2-0 during a cinch Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers at Gayfield Park, on March 01, 2024, in Arbroath, Scotland.Image source, SNS
    Raith's Sam Stanton looks dejected as Arbroath's Mark Stowe celebrates after he scores to make it 3-2 during a cinch Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers at Gayfield Park, on March 01, 2024, in Arbroath, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  5. 'Moments cost us' - Murraypublished at 21:59 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray tells BBC Scotland: "We were in full control of the game. I felt we played really well, it didn't feel like Arbroath bombarded us.

    "Moments of the game cost us. 15 minutes can undo you and we have been undone tonight. The goals are very poor defensively.

    "The first goal is a wonderful strike, you have to give credit there. The second goal is really poor from us all over the park. The third goal, we've had chances to clear the ball and we haven't done it. That's football, that's what you have to deal with.

    "The message to the players in there is that we played fairly well and created so many opportunities it could have been over at half-time. We have to learn from this. It's a sickening feeling but we have to move on. We're still well in the hunt."

    Raith Rovers Manager Ian Murray during a cinch Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers at Gayfield Park, on March 01, 2024, in Arbroath, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  6. Watch: All the action as Arbroath complete crucial comeback!published at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

  7. 🍿published at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Right, let's see all the action from that ridiculous game of football...

  8. 'The win is all that matters' - Gastonpublished at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Arbroath goalkeeper and tonight's Player of the Match Derek Gaston tells BBC Scotland: "I was injured the last couple of months, so I'm just glad to get back in the team tonight.

    "We got the win, that's what matters at the moment. Not me or anyone else."

    Arbroath's Derek Gaston celebrates at full time during a cinch Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers at Gayfield Park, on March 01, 2024, in Arbroath, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  9. 'We played the conditions' - McIntyrepublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Arbroath manager Jim McIntyre tells BBC Scotland: "I'm delighted for the punters. It's been a long time to get a victory at Gayfield.

    "Raith Rovers were dominant in the first half. You've got to play the conditions here and we done that in the second half.

    "We needed a goal to spark us, after a flat first half and a dominant Raith performance, so it gave us that lift and belief. Especially after Tuesday night.

    "At half-time, it was two more injuries. They had to come off and we have to mix it up again. So credit to the lads. They've had to play out of position, under pressure and in uncomfortable situations."

    Arbroath Manager Jim McIntyre at full time during a cinch Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers at Gayfield Park, on March 01, 2024, in Arbroath, ScotlandImage source, SNS
  10. 'The buzz will be great' - Stowepublished at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Arbroath game-winner Mark Stowe tells BBC Scotland: "I thought we could get back in it but I didn't think we would win it.

    "It gives the lads a massive lift with 10 games left. The buzz in the changing room will be great I'm sure.

    "It just fell to me and I stuck it in the back of the net. It's my first goal. It couldn't have gone any better.

    "It puts the momentum in our favour."

    Arbroath's Mark Stowe celebrates as he scores to make it 3-2 during a cinch Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers at Gayfield Park, on March 01, 2024, in Arbroath, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  11. Postpublished at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    FT: Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    James McFadden
    Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland

    Arbroath get the ball forward, they get the opportunity because they get the ball in the corner and get crosses into the box.

    They still had to put the ball in the back of the net and they done that. Three terrific finishes.

  12. FULL-TIME Arbroath 3-2 Raith Roverspublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    What an incredible game of Friday night Championship football!

    Arbroath grab their first win of 2024 after coming from two goals down, with second half goals coming from Jay Bird, Leighton McIntosh and Mark Stowe.

    Raith Rovers blow a gigantic opportunity to move ahead of Dundee United in first-place for now.

    Arbroath's Leighton McIntosh scores to make it 2-2 during a cinch Championship match between Arbroath and Raith Rovers at Gayfield Park, on March 01, 2024, in Arbroath, Scotland.Image source, SNS
  13. Postpublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Raith Rovers fans are leaving.

    They simply can't believe what they've seen this evening.

  14. Postpublished at 21:38 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Two minutes to go...

    Both teams are playing as you would expect at this stage.

    Can Arbroath hold on for a momentous first home win since September 2023?

  15. Postpublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Five minutes of stoppage time added on.

  16. Postpublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Derek Gaston with a huge punched clearance to keep Raith Rovers at bay.

  17. Postpublished at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Jay Bird goes for another corker, but his long-range strike just doesn't enough curve on it to find its way inside of the post.

  18. Postpublished at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Arbroath survive three high balls into the mixer.

    The final cross is headed goalward by Euan Murray, but Derek Gaston makes a simple save to keep the hosts ahead.

  19. Postpublished at 21:31 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Raith Rovers are throwing plenty of bodies forward but there is no way through.

    Arbroath have regained their defensive shape that appeared to be lost after Josh Mullin headed in Raith Rovers' second of the evening.

    An potentially incredible twist in the title race and relegation scrap has less than five minutes of play remaining.

  20. Postpublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March

    Arbroath 3-2 Raith Rovers

    Substitution for Arbroath as Charlie Reilly makes way for Ross County loanee Adam Mckinnon.