Raith Rovers 2 Hamilton Academical 2

Last updated : 23 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

With new manager Gordon Dalziel returning to Starks Park for the first time in his capacity as manager of Raith Rovers, the Kirkcaldy side were inspired sufficiently to fight out a 2-2 draw with Hamilton Accies and collect only their second point of what has been, so far, a disastrous season.

There was a considerably higher level of spirit and resolve than has been apparent in recent weeks amongst the Raith players as they faced up to a well-drilled Hamilton outfit and, after surviving an early scare when goalkeeper David Berthelot was tested by an angled drive from Scott Tunbridge, they took the lead after only four minutes when French striker Hamed Sacko glanced home a header foillowing a superb cross from Paul Miller on the left.

On the rare occasions on which they have taken a lead this season, Raith have never been able to hold on to it for long and, true to form, they found themselves on level terms with Hamilton within three minutes of going in front.

Accies' midfielder Brian Carrigan did the damage on this occasion, curling home a free-kick from 20 yards after Darren Brady had tripped Ricky Waddell.

Wes Daly missed a great chance to restore Raith's lead late in the first half when his close-range effort was saved by Hamilton keeper Dave McEwan, and the home side appeared totally deflated six minutes into the second half when Carrigan put Accies in front with yet another brilliantly-struck free-kick.

Rovers battled back and secured a much-needed point, however, when Daly drove home a 62nd minute penalty awarded after substitute Bruce Raffell had been upended in the box by David Hamilton.