Ryan Hardie's hat-trick ensures victory for nervy Raith over St Mirren

Ryan Hardie scored a hat-trick as Raith bounced back from their midweek defeat to Rangers with a nervy 4-3 victory over St Mirren at Stark's Park.Hardie opened the scoring as early as the third minute by springing the offside track and slotting low past Buddies goalkeeper Ross Callachan.Hardie then turned provider midway through the first half with a defence splitting pass teeing up Mark Stewart, who made no mistake, although the visitors pulled one back five minutes before half-time thanks to Keith Watson's header.Rovers restored their two-goal cushion in the 53rd minute when Hardie latched on to a ball over the top and finished with aplomb, and he had his treble moments later in similar circumstances.David Clarkson pulled one back just after the hour mark after cutting in from the left and drilling low past Kevin Cuthbert, while Watson set up a nervy finish with a nice turn and finish in the 76th minute, but Raith held on for the three points.