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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lochlin Highet

Kilmarnock 1 Raith Rovers 2 as Ayrshire side implode and throw away cup final spot

Kilmarnock crashed out of the SPFL Trust Trophy with a disastrous defeat at home to Raith Rovers.

The Ayrshire side were leading at the break thanks to Oli Shaw, but a second half capitulation allowed Ross Matthews and Aaron Arnott fire Raith into the Challenge Cup final.

A little over 2000 Killie fans watched on as their side folded in a pitiful attempt at booking their first cup final spot in 10 years.

Killie gaffer McInnes said: “We blew the chance to make a cup final by losing two horrendous goals.

"We were in a good position, we were comfortable at 1-0 and we need to recognise we've chucked this opportunity away.

"Raith capitalised on our mistakes, both goals were awful from our point of view, we made bad decisions in the middle of the park.

"We lost a game we were in charge of, all we had to do was be efficient, experienced and do the job, we didn't do that."

Dario Zanatta almost fired Raith ahead in wonderful fashion with a powerful effort from 25 yards, but Sam Walker did well at full stretch to tip it onto the crossbar and out for a corner.

Just two minutes later it was the hosts with a wonderful chance as Dan MacKay bounded towards goal, but former Killie stopper Jamie MacDonald pulled off a fantastic save to keep out the one-on-one.

An uneventful first half ended in perfect fashion for Killie who fired themselves in front from the penalty spot as Shaw just squeezed the ball past MacDonald, who got a hand to it.

Declan Glass had a guilt-edged chance on the hour mark as he latched on to a knockdown from Shaw, but his close range effort some how flew wide.

Matthews did well from distance to fire the Fife side level in the 67th minute with a fine strike that curled round Sam Walker.

And it was misery for Killie as Arnott fired home a rebound from a penalty which was saved by Walker and just like that Killie’s Challenge Cup journey was over.

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