Callum Smith struck a late winner as Raith staved off a determined Morton fightback to claim a 3-2 victory in the Scottish Championship.

Rovers made a flying start, scoring twice inside the opening 15 minutes to leave their opponents on the back foot.

Jack Hamilton’s close-range shot opened the scoring before a Lewis Vaughan penalty made it 2-0 following a foul by Darragh O’Connor.

Morton needed a quick response and it duly arrived through a 17th-minute header from Robbie Muirhead and the visitors had more to celebrate when Robbie Crawford equalised after 71 minutes.

Back came the home side, though, in a thrilling contest as Smith’s goal five minutes later secured all three points.

Queen’s Park maintained their perfect start to the new cinch Championship season with a 2-1 win over Arbroath at the City Stadium.

The Spiders, who won 2-1 at Inverness last week, made a positive start, with Dominic Thomas’ effort cleared off the line before on-loan Bayern Munich youngster Barry Hepburn opened his account in the 13th minute.

Arbroath looked to respond as Michael McKenna’s header was straight at the Queen’s Park keeper before at the other end, Ruari Paton had his goal in the 27th minute ruled out for offside following a counter-attack.

At the start of the second half, Arbroath defender Thomas O’Brien sent an effort just over the crossbar following a free-kick.

With 20 minutes left, the visitors were level when substitute Leighton McIntosh knocked the ball in following a goalmouth scramble.

Queen’s Park, though, were back in front just five minutes later after substitute Patrick Jarrett hit the post and a rebound was blocked, Paton was alert to slot in the loose ball.

Franny Amartey’s early goal proved enough to give Ayr a 1-0 win over Inverness in their cinch Championship match at Somerset Park, where frustrated Caley head coach Billy Dodds was sent from the dugout.

The Honest Men, who lost 3-1 at Morton last weekend, went ahead in the eighth minute through Amartey after good build-up play involving Sam Ashford.

Ayr captain Sean McGinty then fired a long-range effort over before Caley threatened when Charlie Gilmour’s shot was saved by Charlie Albinson.

Inverness defender Daniel Devine saw his header from Cameron Harper’s free-kick pushed over the crossbar.

Luis Longstaff shot wide from 20-yards just before the break – with Caley head coach Dodds sent from the dugout by the referee as frustrations boiled over.

The visitors – who lost their league opener at home to Queen’s Park following three defeats in the Viaplay Cup – almost equalised just after the hour when Nathan Shaw’s header from Jake Davidson’s cross struck the far post.

Ayr substitute Aiden McGeady had a late effort bounce just wide and Olly Pendlebury’s long-range effort was tipped over as the hosts closed out a first league win.

Two goals in the final seven minutes saw Raith rescue an unlikely point in a 2-2 Scottish Championship draw at Partick Thistle.

The hosts looked to have the points sewn up by the interval as Jack McMillan put them ahead in just the fifth minute, when he converted the rebound after Kerr McInroy’s shot hit the crossbar.

Aidan Fitzpatrick added a second on the stroke of half-time when he fired home from McInroy’s cross.

Raith left it late and began their comeback in the 83rd minute when Dylan Easton fired home.

Anton Dowds then hit the post for Thistle – which could have wrapped up the win – but instead, Kieran Mitchell’s 89th-minute equaliser proved decisive as Rovers left with a point on the opening day.

Dunfermline came from behind to make a winning start to their cinch Championship campaign by defeating Airdrieonians 2-1 at East End Park.

Airdrieonians were first off the mark when Charlie Telfer’s powerful shot hit the woodwork and Craig Watson was on hand to nod home.

The lead did not last long, however, as Ewan Otoo soon headed in a cross by Joshua Edwards.

Paul Allan pounced after the break to nudge Dunfermline in front but the hosts had to play the last 13 minutes with 10 men after Rhys Breen was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Morton opened their Championship campaign with an entertaining 3-1 win over Ayr at Cappielow.

A goalless first period was soon forgotten when Oliver Pendlebury fired the visitors ahead in the 51st minute.

But the strike stirred Morton into action as they responded through Robbie Crawford, Robbie Muirhead and Steven Boyd in a 25-minute spell.

Muirhead’s goal came from the penalty spot after George Oakley had been fouled by Sean McGinty.

Dominic Thomas and Tom Robson helped Queen’s Park start their cinch Championship campaign on a winning note as they edged out Inverness 2-1.

Caley Thistle started brightly as Nathan Shaw saw an effort saved while Charlie Fox’s last-gasp tackle stopped Charlie Gilmour going through on goal, but the visitors went ahead after 31 minutes when Thomas latched on to Barry Hepburn’s pass and fired beyond Mark Ridgers.

Robson doubled Queen’s Park’s lead three minutes after the restart as he caught Inverness’ defence napping before sliding an effort underneath Ridgers.

Jake Davidson rose highest to head home Cameron Harper’s corner four minutes from time but it proved to be a consolation as Inverness suffered defeat in their first outing of the season.

Louis Moult marked his Dundee United league debut with a goal and three assists as the Scottish Championship title favourites ran out thumping 4-0 winners in the season opener at Arbroath.

United, relegated from the Premiership on the final day of last season, went ahead after nine minutes when Arbroath gave the ball away to former Preston and Motherwell forward Moult, who sent Glenn Middleton through to score.

Moult was the architect again as United doubled their lead in the 25th minute, slipping Mathew Cudjoe through to coolly finish.

Craig Sibbald rattled the crossbar before he got on the scoresheet eight minutes before half-time after another Moult assist.

And Moult got in on the act in first-half stoppage time with a powerful finish to put the visitors 4-0 up at the break.

United could have had another in the second half but Scott McMann’s drive clipped a post.

Billy Dodds was more than pleased to confirm that striker Billy Mckay has signed a new two-year deal with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Across his three spells with the Championship club, Mckay has played 246 games and has scored 100 goals and is just one goal away from equalling Dennis Wyness’ club goalscoring record.

The 34-year-old had been linked with fellow Championship side Ayr United but has decided to stay in the Highlands.

Head coach Dodds told the club’s official website: “We’re delighted that Billy has extended his stay with the club.

“Billy is a key player for us, he was our top scorer last season and is an ultimate professional.”

“While he had offers from a number of clubs, some of whom were competitors in the Championship, the club had worked hard to make sure that Billy helps get us back into the Premiership and stays where he belongs, here at Caledonian Stadium.”

The Northern Ireland international joined Inverness initially from Northampton in 2011.

During his first spell at the club, he scored 62 goals in 141 games before joining Wigan in January, 2015.

McKay returned to Caley Thistle for a brief loan spell in January 2017 then returned to the club for third time in the summer of 2021 on a permanent basis.

Adam Legzdins is looking for newly promoted Dundee to become an established cinch Premiership club after signing a new deal which commits him to the Dark Blues until the summer of 2025.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper joined from Burnley in November 2020, and helped the Tayside club to the top flight via the play-offs in 2021.

After dropping back down to the Championship, Dundee won the title this season and will return to the Premiership and Legzdins wants the Dens Park club to stay at the top long-term.

He told Dundee’s official website: “I really am delighted to extend my contract with this fantastic club for another two years.

“Dundee FC is a massive team in Scottish football steeped in history and tradition which you feel every time you represent the Dark Blues.

“My family and I have lived in Dundee and the surrounding area for the last two and half years and we feel so lucky to have found a wonderful place we now call home.

“The people of the city and the fans of our great club have been fantastic with us and I promise them I will continue to be committed and give my all both on and off the pitch to help us accomplish what we want to in the future.

“Last season really was a fantastic achievement by everyone at the club. We made memories that will last a lifetime.

“I will never forget the support from our travelling fans at Ochilview on the final day of the season to the outstanding reception we received at City Square.

“Seeing the next generation of young fans having their pictures taken with the trophy really showed me how lucky we are as players to play for this great club.

“It is now time for us all to work even harder to establish ourselves as a team in the Scottish Premiership for years to come.

“There are some great people at this club who will work tirelessly in pursuit of this goal.

“I want to help them, my team-mates, and the fans whenever I can to bring even more good times to Dundee FC.”

Daniel Reilly missed from the spot as Airdrie sealed their spot in next season’s cinch Championship after a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Hamilton.

Gabby McGill’s strike in time added-on meant an additional 30 minutes after Hamilton had overturned a 1-0 first-leg loss following goals from Connor Smith and substitute Jean-Pierre Tiehi.

Dylan McGowan headed off the bar for Hamilton in the first half of extra-time while Calum Gallagher later did likewise for Airdrie but the 2-1 score on the night and an aggregate of 2-2 meant penalties.

The first 11 spot-kicks were successful but Airdrie goalkeeper Josh Rae guessed correctly from Reilly’s effort, as the Diamonds secured promotion back to the second tier after a 10-year absence.

Callum Smith scored against his former club Hamilton to give Airdrie a 1-0 win in the first leg of their cinch Championship play-off final at the Excelsior Stadium.

Smith, who joined Airdrie from Hamilton in 2021, struck early in the second half to help his side into a slender advantage before Saturday’s second leg at the ZLX Stadium.

Hamilton, relegated from the Scottish Premiership two seasons ago and bidding to avoid relegation to the third tier for the first time since 2004, were first to threaten through on-loan Hearts midfielder Connor Smith.

Connor Smith, playing against his brother Callum, fired an early angled shot inches wide, while Airdrie went close through Callum Fordyce’s half-volley, which was turned away by Hamilton goalkeeper Jamie Smith.

Accies threatened again through Connor Smith before the break when his shot from outside the box was well saved by Airdrie goalkeeper Joshua Rae.

Airdrie, buoyed after sealing a 7-2 aggregate play-off semi-final win over Falkirk on Saturday, edged ahead in the 56th minute when Callum Smith produced a neat near-post finish after a fine run into the penalty area.

Accies defender Daniel O’Reilly went closest to an equaliser when he headed a corner narrowly over in stoppage time, while Airdrie defender Craig Watson was sent off late on after his foul on Connor Smith earned him a second yellow card.

Hamilton chairman Allan Maitland has warned a section of supporters that “vile abusive comments” towards management and board members will not be tolerated by the club.

Accies boss John Rankin claimed on Saturday that a fan had been “derogatory towards my wife and my children” at a time when the team trailed Alloa 3-0 on aggregate in their Championship play-off semi-final second leg, before Hamilton fought back to win 5-3 over the two legs.

Maitland issued a statement ahead of Wednesday’s play-off final first leg away to Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie in which he stressed that anyone who “crosses the line of acceptability” with their language is not welcome to attend matches.

“In my role as the chairman of the club, I feel the highs and lows of all Accies supporters and fully understand the frustrations of the last few seasons when we haven’t reached the standards expected from our club,” said Maitland.

“I also understand the need on occasions to vent that frustration – however there is a line where the expression of that frustration becomes intolerable and totally unacceptable, and we reached that on Saturday afternoon.

“Several supporters shouted vile abusive comments to our management team and directors that were disgusting and unacceptable in any environment at any time, never mind a football match where families and young kids are present.

“We are working to identify those responsible for this hate crime and these so-called supporters will receive the banning order they deserve from all football matches.

“I have consistently tried to engage with unhappy supporters, even in difficult times, to listen to their concerns and provide a balanced and fair view whenever possible but there is now a section of fans who are no longer worthy of any exchange of views.

“We all feel the passion of being a supporter and have experienced days when you understandably express your frustrations or disappointment towards players, management, and directors when things are going horribly wrong but there must be a control mechanism in place to stop that from crossing the line of acceptability.

“If you personally are unable to control that emotion or feel the need to be overtly abusive, then please don’t come to the games – you’re not welcome.”

Accies finished second bottom of the cinch Championship and must defeat League One promotion hopefuls Airdrie over two legs to retain their second-tier status.

Gabby McGill scored the only goal as Airdrie rubber-stamped their place in the cinch Championship play-off final with an emphatic aggregate victory over Falkirk.

McGill struck three minutes before half-time in their semi-final second leg at the Falkirk Stadium, with the 1-0 win completing a 7-2 overall triumph.

Falkirk had a number of opportunities early on but a miracle turnaround always seemed unlikely and McGill tightened Airdrie’s grip on the tie when he pounced after a long throw.

Airdrie will now hope to clinch promotion at the third attempt after defeats in the previous two finals.

Andy Winter scored a hat-trick as Hamilton produced a stunning fightback against 10-man Alloa to reach the cinch Championship play-off final.

The Accies trailed 2-0 on the day and 3-0 on aggregate in their semi-final before Winter’s heroics and a Dario Zanatta double saw them rally in remarkable fashion at New Douglas Park to go through 5-3 overall.

Hamilton had looked in danger of dropping to League One as Conor Sammon opened the scoring after only five minutes and Stefan Scougall added a second just after the half-hour from a penalty rebound.

Yet by then Alloa had already seen George Stanger sent off for two bookable offences and that was to prove costly.

Zanatta began the fightback on 37 minutes and four more goals followed in a blistering 15-minute spell either side of half-time.