Raith Rovers keep SPFL Trust Trophy for themselves as magic Matej Poplatnik downs Queen of the South

Magic Matej Poplatnik sparked a Raith Rovers party as his headed double helped down Queens to ensure the SPFL Trust Trophy stays in Kirkcaldy.

Poplatnik planted two headers past Josh Rae either side of an Ally Roy equaliser to settle a thrilling ding-dong in Airdrie.

The wasteful Doonhamers will be cursing their luck after striking the woodwork four times in the first half.

But in the end it was on-loan Livingston hitman Poplatnik who made the difference with his aerial power

By the end he looked more Rab C Poplatnik than Matej after picking up an injury at the first goal which resulted in him being heavily bandaged.

But the Slovenian striker wasn’t caring as he made it five goals in his last four outings to seal the cup before Ethan Ross made sure of it.

They may have been holders in name but nobody in the Kirkcaldy outfit had got their hands on the silverware after covid put paid to the final two years ago. That all changed on Sunday afternoon though.

Both sides were chasing their third success in the competition as they went toe-to-toe in Airdrie.

Raith welcomed back veteran goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald - a member of Queens’ famous 2008 Scottish Cup Final side - from injury but Christophe Berra had to make do with a place on the bench after missing the last two weeks with a calf complaint.

MacDonald was completing a unique set of finals - having played in the Scottish Cup showpiece three times with Queens, Hearts and Falkirk as well as the League Cup Final with the Jambos.

Queens had a strong Rovers connection in their midst too with Grant Murray - who led the Kirkcaldy side to their 2014 final victory over Rangers - in the dug out as Gibson’s number two.

They started brightly and Roy had a strong effort deflected