Ross County 0-2 St Mirren

Ross County's run of draws came to an end, but after defeat at home to league leaders St. Mirren, many County fans were wishing it had been a seventh draw on the trot.


County matched St. Mirren for most of the match, but a goal in each half, firstly Stewart Kean, then John Sutton in the second half kept the Buddies on course to win the league. Thankfully the champers were not cracked open at Dingwall as St. Johnstone won against Brechin City meaning St. Mirren will have to wait until at least next week.


With the latest instalments of turmoil surrounding Victoria Park only a couple of days old, George Adams took charge of the first team following the sudden departure of Gardner Spiers on Thursday.
The overnight snow and rain had caused a few concerns early on Saturday morning as surface water was slow to clear, but after a bit of work the groundsmen did a superb job in making the surface playable.


George Adams stuck with a similar team to that which drew against Dundee on Tuesday night, although Stuart Anderson had to do with a place on the bench as Mark McCulloch recovered from injury. Fergus Tiernan also missed out on a starting position as Alex Burke made a surprise comeback.
County started the game brightly and came very close to opening the scoring after only two minutes when David Cowan flighted a ball towards Sean Higgins, his first touch set Alex Burke through on goal, but his shot was well saved by Tony Bullock. County were awarded two corners in quick succession, but both were easily cleared by the Saints defence.


St. Mirren’s first chance came two minutes later when a long range shot by Charlie Adam was easily held by Ian McCaldon.


Back at the other end of the field, John Rankin tried his luck with a snap shot from the edge of the box, but again it was easily saved.


As early as the ninth minute St. Mirren were forced into making a substitution when Kirk Broadfoot went off injured, Alan Ried the player taking his place.


St. Mirren took the lead in the sixteenth minute, Simon Lappin was allowed time to come down the left wing before sending in a cross to Stewart Kean on the edge of the six yard box. Kean was unmarked and easily nodded the ball past Ian McCaldon from close range.


This goal gave St. Mirren a confidence boost, and for a time they threatened to run riot. Charlie Adam again was given space on the left wing, this time his low cross found John Sutton on the penalty spot, but Sutton could only stand and watch as his shot clipped the top of the cross bar.


Stuart Kean came close again ten minute later, Sean Webb lost his footing letting Kean through, but Lionel Djebi-Zadi raced across the to knock the ball out for a corner kick.


At the other end County were struggling to make any chances, and a 30 yard shot from Mark McCulloch was the closest they came although that shot flew high and wide of the target.


But after 30 minutes County started to come back into the game more. And Alex Burke’s trickery midway into the St. Mirren half saw him set Kevin McKinlay race down the left flank. His cross found Don Cowie diving in at the back post, but just when it looked as though he would score, Tony Bullock got down to turn the ball around the post.


St. Mirren were still looking dangerous in attack, and when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal, the County fans in the Jailend behind the goal were happy to see it deflect of Mark McCulloch before going narrowly wide of Ian McCaldon’s right hand post.


Don Cowie has another chance on goal, but again he was to be foiled by his former team mate Tony Bullock.


Four minutes from half time, Charlie Adam missed what can only be called a “sitter”. He found himself with the ball at the back post only three yards from goal, he failed to control the ball, and as it bounced up he hit the ball goalwards with his hand, but Ian McCaldon got back across to push the ball around the post.


As the half drew to a close a quick break from County looked promising, but Don Cowie wasted the chance when his cross was too close to Tony Bullock.


Ian McCaldon had obviously hurt himself in the save against Charlie Adam, and it was no surprise when it was Joe Malin who took over in goals at the start of the second half.

St. Mirren started the second half brightly and tried to put Malin under pressure early on, but their first attempt on the 48th minute from a free kick 25 yards out curled wide of the target.


County had chances at the start of the second half, but they were unable to capatalise on the early pressure when a series of corners were easily delt with by the Saints defence.


On the 55th minute it looked as though St. Mirren would double their lead when John Sutton burst through the County defence, but his shot was well saved by Joe Malin who raced from his goal to tighten the angle.


Again two minutes later John Sutton found himself bursting through the County defence, this time his shot failed to test Joe Malin as his shot flew high over the cross bar and beyond the St. Mirren fans.


But St. Mirren were to double their lead on the 65th minute when Charlie Adam’s cross from the left side found John Sutton unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, his header down towards the bottom corner just evaded Malin who got his hand to it but was unable to keep the ball out of the net.


John Rankin tried walking the ball through the Saints defence on the 75th minute, but lost possession, with the County players committed forward St. Mirren broke quickly and only a good save by Joe Malin kept the score line down. For some reason the referee Eddie Smith decided that John Rankin should be shown a yellow card – Not sure why !


With time beginning to run out County were getting desperate, and this was evident on the 81st minute when Don Cowie sent his free kick straight into the arms of Tony Bullock with no County player in that area of the penalty box.


The last chance of the match fell to Sean Higgins, but his fierce shot from fully 25 yards was caught at the second attempt by Tony Bullock.

But although St. Mirren won the game and their fans, who travelled in huge numbers to the game, were clearly in party mood had to hold their celebrations as the news filtered through from Brechin that St. Johnstone had won their match. But their fans now know that it is only a matter of when and not if they win the league. And from from the games I’ve seen this season they have been the best team that County have faced, and fully deserved to win the title.

County Team - McCaldon (Malin 45), Cowan, Djebi-Zadi, Lauchlan, Webb, McCulloch (Anderson 84), Rankin, Burke (Winters 69), Higgins, Cowie, MacKinlay


Subs not used - MacDonald, Tiernan

Booked - Rankin 73, Higgins 75

Attendance - 3500

(copied from www.thejailender.com)

Sadly I missed this match as I was in Edinburgh.