Russell fired a double to put Airdrie in the driving seat

Airdrie's Allan Russell fired a brace to punish poor Raith defending in their Division One play-off semi-final first leg at Stark's Park.

Ryan Borris went close for Rovers with a shot saved by Stephen Robertson.

The visitors broke the deadlock when Rovers goalkeeper Chris Fahey hesitated under a long clearance from Robertson, allowing Russell to head home.

Russell scored again six minutes later when he headed home Marco Andreoni's pass as the Raith defence dithered.

Raith: Fahey, Wilson, Pelosi, Campbell, Davidson, Silvestro, Borris (David Templeton 75), Henderson, Hislop (Weir 19), Goodwillie, Sloan. Subs Not Used: Tod, Bryce, Brown.

Booked: Weir, Wilson.

Airdrie Utd: Robertson, Smith, Lovering (Waddle 45), McDonald, Smyth, Donnelly, Andreoni, Prunty (Watt 75), Russell, Holmes, Noble (Gillies 83). Subs Not Used: Brady, Hollis.

Booked: Lovering, McDonald, Gillies.

Goals: Russell 31, 39.

Att: 2,841

Ref: D McDonald

Airdrie manager Kenny Black:

"It's certainly half the job done. I was disappointed for long spells, but we managed to get two goals in the first half.

"I thought we were careless in a lot of our passing. We invited a lot of the Raith attacks onto us.

"I'm not disappointed by the result, but the performance was poor.

"Both teams could probably play a lot better. Raith have a good away record, so we need another good 90 minutes.

"Allan Russell will be remembered for his two goals, but he didn't really have a good game. We're always looking for perfection."