But Brian Welsh was less than happy after his first match as Cowdenbeath boss - the Blue Brazil's sparkling early season form has gone up in smoke following seven games without a win, and to make matters worse star midfielder Markus Paatelainen suffered a serious leg injury five minutes from the end.
Icelandic striker Hjalmar Thorarinsson ultimately proved Raith's match winner in the second half but the afternoon began badly for him as he somehow failed to connect with Brian Fairbairn's cross after only two minutes.
Cowdenbeath responded with an inch perfect cross from Paatelainen and an angled header by Pat Clarke which brought the very best out of goalkeeper Michael Brown.
Rovers central defender Mark Campbell headed the ball into the net after 25 minutes but the goal was disallowed for a push inside the penalty area.
Home striker Liam Buchanan wasted two clear cut chances at the end of the first half and there was further frustration for Cowdenbeath shortly after the break when skipper Innes Ritchie rattled the crossbar with a towering header.
Moments later Frenchman Armand One put the visitors in front with a header of his own, but the lead was cancelled out within three minutes when full back Laurie Ellis launched a long ball from just inside his own half and Clarke controlled it before drilling a left-foot shot past Brown from eight yards.
Brown then made a top class save to deny Clarke and a relieved Rovers side raced upfield and won the game thanks to a precise glancing header from Thorarinsson.