Dundalk 0, Raith Rovers 2

TWO first half goals in the space of four minutes by striker Peter Duffield gave Raith Rovers a comfortable victory over Dundalk as they continued their Irish tour last night.

In the twenty-third minute, Duffield drilled home a Danny Lennon cross from the right to put his side in front.

Ian Cameron initiated the move with a defence splitting pass from midfield.

In the twenty-seventh minute, Duffield had a simple tap in at the post after Keith Wright pulled the ball back.

Raith Rovers were clearly superior to their rivals and manager Jimmy Nicholl took the opportunity to introduce a total of nine substitutes during the course of the game.

Dundalk's best chance of the first half fell to Nathan Wigg in 15 minutes when he shot just wide from 30 yards.

Duffield almost completed a hat trick four minutes from half-time but his weak shot on the turn was cleared off the line by defender Tom McNulty.

Near the end of the match, Raith's Kevin Twaddle had a good save from Steve Williams and with time almost up, Brian Byrne was narrowly wide for Dundalk. The substitutes used were thus: for Raith Rovers - Millar (for Kirkwood, half-time); Dair (for Harvey, half-time); Twaddle (for Lennon, 58 mins); Kerr (for Duffield, 58); Byres (for Wright, 58); Stein (for Cameron, 58); McCulloch (for McEwan, 71); Browne (for Craig, 71); Fathringham (for Thomson, 71). For Dundalk - Crawley (for McConville, half-time); Mackin (for D Ward, 59); G Ward (for Malone, 59).

DUNDALK - Williams, McNulty, Hoey, Doohan, Hall, McConville, Malone, Wigg, Withnell, Ward, Byrne.

RAITH ROVERS - Van De Kamp, McEwan, Thomson, Kirkwood, Craig, Mullen, Lennon, Harvey, Duffield, Wright, Cameron.

Referee - Joe O'Brien (Dublin)