Raith Rovers 1 Clyde 3

Last updated : 14 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Raith Rovers' miserable start to the season continued with a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Clyde, the Kirkcaldy club's fourth successive defeat since Claude Anelka took over as manager.

The victory reinforced Clyde's status as potential promotion contenders, coming as it did in the wake of their opening day triumph over Partick Thistle.

Anelka fielded two trialists as he endeavoured to revive his team's fortunes but they found themselves a goal behind with only three minutes on the clock, the home defence failing to clear a cross from Darren Sheridan and the resultant loose ball falling to the feet of Craig Bryson.

He was given space to turn and strike a low shot beyond the helpless Rudy Pounoussamy in the Raith goal.

For much of the first half, Rovers looked as if they could claw their way back into the game but, with just four minutes of the half remaining, trialist Tony Bartolome upended Mark Gilhaney in the penalty area and Ian Harty converted the resultant spot kick award.

Further misery was to follow for the home side early in the second half when Clyde defender John Potter flicked home a cross from Kevin Fotheringham to make it 3-0 but they did stage something of a revival during the closing stages, pulling a goal back through Hamed Sacko.

The French striker taking advantage of a misunderstanding between Clyde keeper Bryn Halliwell and defender Paul Doyle before slipping the ball into the empty net.

An exciting finish was assured when Potter deflected a John Boyle cross into his own net five minutes from time but Clyde hung on for the three points.