Raith Rovers 2-2 Arbroath: Goalkeeper Adams scores screamer in dramatic Arbroath comeback

Arbroath substitute goalkeeper Ali Adams scored from 35 yards after being brought on to play as a striker as his side came from two goals down to draw with Scottish Championship leaders Raith Rovers.

With only four players on the bench, injuries forced Jim MacIntyre to throw on Adams as an outfield player with his side trailing to Dylan Easton’s opener at Stark’s Park.

Jack Hamilton then added Rovers’ second before the bustling Adams delivered an incredible moment of drama with 14 minutes left.

When the ball dropped to him inside the home half, he spun and lashed home a scarcely believable effort that flew past stunned goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski.

It was a goal that would have made the best strikers in the world proud and, just minutes later, Leighton McIntosh scored from the penalty spot for an unlikely leveller.

Despite the draw, Rovers stay top of the Scottish Championship, three points clear of Dundee United having played a game more.

Arbroath remain ninth, but there were celebrations at the final whistle as a vital point was gained against the leaders – and Adams was acclaimed a hero.

The goalkeeper, whose only two Arbroath appearances came in the Challenge Cup back in September and October after signing in the summer from Gretna 2008, has spent most of his career in the lower leagues.

However, it was there that he developed his prowess for being a goalscoring number one.

After finding the net with a 55-yard free-kick playing for Tranent against Inverkeithing Swifts in the East of Scotland League back in 2020, he revealed he had scored “three or four” such goals but never imagined he would repeat the feat in the senior leagues.