A late goal from John Baird gave the league leaders the points at Stark's Park on a cold Tuesday evening after a brave performance from Cowden.

Rovers made the early running and Davidson got in the first shot in eight minutes which Hay gathered and then Wilson's 22 yarder went wide.

Cowden kept working away and in 20 minutes Campbell latched onto a poor Murray pass and his shot was saved by McNeil.

Hay was again in action when he came off his line quickly to deny Walker and soon after the midfielder was in the action again when he took a Baird cross and fired in a fierce effort which Hay saved excellently.

On the half hour Stewart created a chance for his strike partner but with only McNeil to beat his shot was too near the 'keeper who saved and then the front man had another chance as the interval approached when Davidson's pass-back was poor but McNeil finger-tipped his drive to safety.

Then with seconds to go to the break Raith took the lead. A good Walker pass set up Gregory Tade on a one-on-one confrontation with Hay and the striker fired the ball home.

It was hard for Cowden to take after getting within seconds of the interval whistle level but they started the second period in spirited fashion and after Hay had saved well from Tade they levelled in 51 minutes.

Linton's cross had the Raith defence in two minds and Greg STewart raced in to head past McNeil.

Raith's response was a Baird shot which struck a post and then he headed a Walker free-kick at Hay.

Cowden substitute Robertson fed Campbell who tested McNeil and then Ferry shot just wide for Rovers.

But in the 85th minute John Baird grabbed the winner. Walker's cross created the chance and the striker's header drifted into the net.