Alloa Athletic 1-2 Raith Rovers: Hosts relegated after defeat
- Published
Dylan Tait completed Raith's comeback as Alloa were condemned to the drop
Alloa Athletic's three-year stay in the Scottish Championship is over after a 2-1 defeat by Raith Rovers confirmed the hosts' relegation.
Kevin Cawley struck midway through the opening half to gave Peter Grant's side hope of a first win in five.
But they lost goalkeeper Neil Parry to a 52nd-minute red card for a foul on Gozie Ugwu, who netted the penalty.
Dylan Tait won it for Raith soon after, guaranteeing them a place in the promotion play-offs.
Defeat leaves Alloa eight points adrift of Greenock Morton with two matches left. They have collected just four wins out of 25 to drop down to the third tier in Grant's second season at the helm.
Raith, whose draw with Arbroath last weekend helped hand Hearts the title, strengthen their grip on second place with a five-point lead over Dundee, who have a game in hand.
Alloa manager Peter Grant: "My players were excellent. You have to look at the decisions the referees make and wonder why they don't get suspended. It looks like a penalty kick at first, but to send Neil off is disgraceful.
"We've given too many soft goals away this season and that's why we're in this position. Relegation is a sore one to take and I have to look at myself and analyse everything, what's right for the club and me."
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn: "We're delighted to secure a play-off position. At the start of the season that would have been pie in the sky, our ambition was to stay in the league.
"Alloa are the best bottom of the table team I've ever seen, they're unfortunate not to have more points."