On 31 March 2013, he joined Raith Rovers until the end of the season, after manager Grant Murray acted quickly to beat the player registration deadline. In July 2013, Cardle signed a new contract to stay at Stark's Park for another year. In February 2014, Cardle stated he had "fallen back in love with football" at Stark's Park. He played in the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup at Easter Road as Rovers beat Rangers 1–0 in extra-time to claim his second winners medal in the competition.
