STAND-IN Raith Rovers goalkeeper Chris Fahey endured a night to forget as Airdrie United took a firm grip of the First Division play-off semi-final.
Top scorer Allan Russell was the Diamonds' first-leg hero at Stark's Park, grabbing a first-half
headed double to take his tally for the campaign to an impressive 26.
However, the Second Division player of the year, recently courted by Kilmarnock, will rarely net easier goals as dreadful mistakes at the back cost John McGlynn's men dear.
The nervy Fahey – deputising for Keiron Renton, who sustained an injury in the 5-2 defeat against Peterhead on Saturday – and his defensive colleagues were riddled by indecision as Russell profited in comedy fashion from two long balls.
How McGlynn must have wished for the imposing presence of centre-half Marvin Andrews, who has finally succumbed to knee surgery.
Kenny Black's well-organised side are now in the driving seat ahead of Saturday's return leg at New Broomfield, as Raith's home record – just eight wins from 18 in the league this term – again hurt them.
Given the disappointment both clubs suffered in the play-offs against Stirling Albion last year, Raith at the semi stage and Airdrie in the final, rich atonement was sought.
Rovers went in with the psychological advantage having won three out of four against Airdrie this season and, despite what followed, they bossed the early exchanges.
On seven minutes, Steven Hislop stretched to meet a Chris Silvestro cross but his weak header was straight at Stephen Robertson.
While Hislop soon limped off with an ankle knock, the hosts remained in the ascendancy and the lively on-loan David Goodwillie, watched by his Dundee United manager Craig Levein, was only crowded out by last-ditch blocks after a mazy run.
Ryan Borris then came closest with a curling left-foot shot superbly palmed wide by Robertson. From the resultant corner, Iain Davidson flashed a header wide.
Yet Rovers' early fire was soon to be extinguished by defensive calamity. While Fahey had pushed away a fierce 12th-minute Marco Andreoni drive, his overall handling had looked unsure and his struggling confidence was shattered on 31 minutes.
Robertson's long hoof forward lacked intent, but the ball was allowed to bounce in the Raith rearguard and as Fahey and Davidson hesitated, Russell took advantage to nod over the stranded custodian and give Airdrie the lead.
Worse followed eight minutes later when another hopeful ball, this time from Andreoni, was again not dealt with by the Fifers' back-line.
With Fahey exposed on his 18-yard line, former St Mirren forward Russell simply beat him in the air to head into the unguarded net.
An early second-half flurry hinted at a home comeback, but the manner of the concessions appeared to have dented Rovers' overall confidence and they struggled to impose themselves.
Davidson saw a header fly just over, but a professional second-half display from the visitors limited McGlynn's team to half-chances and denied them a priceless goal before the now daunting trip to Lanarkshire this weekend.
Raith Rovers: Fahey, Wilson, Pelosi, Campbell, Davidson, Silvestro, Borris (Templeton 76), Henderson, Hislop (Weir 20), Goodwillie, Sloan. Subs not used: Brown, Tod, Bryce. Booked: Weir.
Airdrie United: Robertson, Smith, Lovering (Waddell 46), McDonald, Smyth, Donnelly, Andreoni, Prunty (Watt 76), Russell, Holmes, Noble (Gillies 84). Subs not used: Hollis, Brady. Booked: Lovering, McDonald, Gillies.
Referee: D McDonald
Attendance: 2,841
The full article contains 592 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
