St Johnstone 2
Ross County 1
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Source unknown.

County came agonisingly close to earning a share of the points at McDiarmid Park.

Brian Graham and Michael O'Halloran both went close before McFadden finally broke the Dingwall men's resistance.

O'Halloran headed against a post before making it two with a turn and shot.

County responded through Jake Jervis and continued to press for an equaliser, but despite going close they could not salvage a point.

County, meanwhile, were left to rue a first half performance that lacked the invention and creativity they demonstrated in the second 45 minutes.

Brian Graham could have put Saints ahead inside the opening minutes when he found himself free in front of goal, but his header wide of the target.

Chris Millar and O'Halloran then both tested County Mark Brown before McFadden - who had almost scored direct from a corner - broke the deadlock with a clever bit of play.

The former Scotland striker helped win a corner with delightful skill on the left and, when the set piece was swung in, he swivelled and fired through a ruck of bodies and into the net for the opener.

There were early signs that the visitors were going to be more of a threat in the second half, with County moving the ball about at pace.

But both sides had great chances. First Lee Croft's cross found O'Halloran unmarked at the back post, but somehow he headed off a post with the goal gaping.

Then, while the Saints players looked at each other in disbelief, Jake Jervis raced through only for Alan Mannus to deflect his shot wide with a fine full length save.

County thought they should have had a penalty when Filip Kiss went down in the box, but play raged on and O'Halloran held off a Scott Boyd challenge before turning and lashing a shot into the net.

The deficit was halved just minutes later though as Jake Jervis bundled the ball over the line from close range.

County were growing in confidence and Kiss ended a sweeping move by firing over. But, despite continuing to press, they could not find an elusive second effort to secure a share of the points.