Airdrie were the more impressive outfit in the early stages as Sandy’s ‘passing game’ had Raith chasing their tails. David McGuire had the ball in the net, impressively, early on but was narrowly flagged offside and Steve Docherty found himself all alone inside the box with only Raith keeper Raul Ojeda to beat, but the goalie stood firm. Raith eventually got going as Airdrie became less effective. Sandy brought down Martin Prest at the edge of the box but English forward Karl Hawley flighted the free kick high and wide of McGeown’s goal. After being injured by a fair looking Neil McGowan tackle, Andy Smith was replaced by substitute Brian Carrigan after half an hour and this really kicked Raith into life with Hawley moving further up front. His powerful running almost paid dividends when Darren Brady threaded through a wonderful pass to the onrushing Hawley but this time McGeown made an incredible save in almost impossible circumstances.

In the second half Raith’s full time training looked set to over run Airdrie at times. With the sorcerer like left peg of Calderon threatening to carve Airdrie open at will the Diamonds fought an impressive rear guard action. Raith did threaten the Airdrie goal several times in the third quarter. Prest had a thundering shot parried away by McGeown after Calderon split the defence. He followed that up with fabulous double save from Nanou and Carrigan before Hawley sent a piledriver over the bar. Airdrie did mount more of a challenge thanks in the main to the hardworking Alan Gow. Outnumbered four to two the Airdrie forwards had a fruitless afternoon as they were easily crowded out at almost every turn, though Gow could have turned the match with some terrific moves. A driving run from the halfway line had Raith reeling, Gardner was motoring to keep up with Gow’s mazy run and he shouted for the forward to ‘feed him’. Gow obliged but Gardner didn’t have the extra gear to take him clear of the defence. Shortly after Gow played in Gardner at the edge of the box. The midfielder’s shot was deflected to Paul Armstrong and the right winger fired in a shot that was blocked on the edge of the Raith six yard box.

All in all Sandy will probably be happy with the draw. Raith looked the better team in the end and the mood among the Airdrie fans was upbeat. Neil McGowan was ferocious in central defence, ably backed up by Sandy Stewart, who was emperious as ever, and a surprisingly solid display by Kenny Brannigan. The big centre has been criticised at times for his lack of pace and distribution skills but today he was rock solid, though his passing still leave a bit to be desired. Docherty worked hard to make up for Marv’s absence, but I was impressed by Harvey and Gardner’s first half show to keep the sublime Calderon quiet. Harvey and Gardner both faded in the second when Raith turned up a gear, but in fairness they never buckled. McVey had a stinker on the left. Let’s not say much and just hope he gets that one out his system. McGuire and Gow were isolated thanks to our system. No doubts the midfield will support them better against weaker teams. Star of the show for Airdrie though was the mightily impressive Neil McGowan who played on the left fof the back three. The former Albion Rovers, Oxford and Stranraer man showed tenacious defending the likes of which I’ve rarely seen in the last twenty years. Neil quite clearly looks a player capable of playing at a much higher level.

Calderon looks to be doing a fine job in Kirkcaldy too. He looked majestic himself on the left midfield slot. He’s obviously been talking tactics with Eddie McCabe as he played a fourthreethree formation. Darren Brady played the holding role in the centre to great effect and Wilf NanouNanou completed the best midfield in the league. Indeed those three almost looked SPL class. Up front Prest and Smith had honking displays. Hawley and Carrigan looked far more impressive for them.

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