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Two goals in the opening 25 minutes helped Raith Rovers ease to a first Scottish Championship win of the season against Ayr United.

Ethon Varian gave the visitors the lead after 14 minutes before Dario Zanatta doubled the advantage soon after.

Ayr rallied, Jamie MacDonald thwarting Nick McAllister and Mark McKenzie having an effort disallowed, but the hosts could not break through.

The contest ended with three red cards in the final 15 minutes - two for Ayr.

First, Jonathan Afolabi was shown a straight red for a wild challenge before Raith's Blaise Riley-Snow and Ayr's Aaron Muirhead received second bookings.

Raith had played two games fewer than the seven teams above them, after this fixture was initially postponed following a Covid outbreak at Ayr and their derby with Dunfermline Athletic was abandoned.

However, the Fifers are now up to fifth, with Ayr remaining in ninth place.