Ross County 1
St Mirren 2
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Source unknown.

Stephen Mallan's late finish earned a vital win for 10-man St Mirren after an astonishing finish in Dingwall.

Sean Kelly had given the visitors an early lead from close range after Mallan's shot had been parried.

Yoann Arquin, who just joined St Mirren from County , saw red for a tackle on Lewis Toshney but the visitors defended well until Liam Boyce's leveller.

The Buddies showed tremendous character and were rewarded when Mallan appeared to shoulder home from close range.

The result leaves Jim McIntyre's side three points adrift at the bottom with only one home victory all season.

Interim St Mirren manager Gary Teale will be delighted with a resolute performance that took his side off the foot of the table.

Kelly put St Mirren ahead after a bright start in which St Mirren showed plenty of attacking intent.

Mallan jinked into the box and winced as his shot was parried by Antonio Reguero but Kelly had anticipated the save and slotted in easily from close range.

Arquin struggled to make an impact but did create the opening that almost doubled St Mirren's lead.

Good work on the left released Kenny McLean, who cut back and drove a left-foot shot off the underside of the bar.

Striker Arquin's afternoon then came to a premature end against his former side when he challenged Toshney on the touchline.

Toshney writhed in pain and the intervention of the fourth official led to the referee Brian Colvin producing a red card.

On first viewing it seemed harsh and was vociferously contested by the away bench.

County struggled to break down a well-organised defence from then on, though striker Craig Curran will wonder how he missed a glaring chance.

The break of the ball presented the striker with a chance just eight yards out but he snatched at it and smashed the ball straight at Mark Ridgers.

Just as County appeared to have run out of ideas against a determined St Mirren rear-guard, substitute Liam Boyce got on the end of a Jake Jervis flick to nod in the equaliser.

County smelled blood and went close again when Jackson Irvine was denied by Ridgers' stunning save from close range.

And the home crowd were crushed as the diving Mallan sent the visiting fans into delirium.