Ross County 1
St Mirren 3
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Source unknown.

Ross County were defeated 3-1 tonight by St Mirren at the Global Energy Stadium.

The Staggies went ahead thanks to Jordan White, but three second-half goals from Lee Erwin, Ilkay Durmus and Jamie McGrath earned all 3 points for the visitors.

In the 18th minute, County took the lead through Jordan White. Michael Garydne showed great intent to find space on the right of the box before pulling the ball back across the face of goal. However, his cutback evaded all County players in the box and was partially cleared by Joe Shaughnessy. The defender’s clearance was then returned by Iain Vigurs and the ball was met by the spinning left boot of Jordan White who directed the ball into the left corner.

The Staggies nearly added to their advantage 13 minutes later when Jason Naismith flashed a menacing ball across goal, but the sliding effort of Billy McKay could not get onto the end of the cross.

After 38 minutes, the visitors had their best opportunity of the half. Teenage debutant Jay Henderson delivered a right footed cross for Kristian Dennis, but the winger’s header was stopped by Ross Laidlaw at the keeper’s bottom right corner.

On the stroke of half time, it looked as though County had doubled their lead. Jordan Tillson received the ball on the edge of the box from Michael Gardyne before twisting and turning to earn himself a yard of space on the edge of the box. The midfielder then dug out a curled effort, but his attempt was expertly saved by Jak Alnwick to protect the ball nestling in the top right corner.

John Hughes would have been impressed by County’s opening 45 minutes as they claimed the better chances of the first half. Jordan White’s 3rd goal in 10 games was enough to see the Staggies enter half time in front but it was soon all to change.

5 minutes after the restart, the Saints found themselves an equaliser. Jak Alnwick’s pinpoint goal-kick picked out Richard Tait on the touchline who used his chest to move the ball past Jordan Tillson. The left back then clipped a left-footed cross into the centre of the box and former-Staggie, Lee Erwin, guided his resulting header beyond Ross Laidlaw and into the goal.

In the 71st minute, St Mirren then completed their comeback and took the lead through Ilkay Durmus. A hopeful clearance from Lee Erwin breached the County defence and allowed Colin Quaner to get beyond Alex Iacovitti. The German striker then picked out the run of Ilkay Durmus on the edge of the area who was able to connect with the ball first time with his left foot and divert the ball into the bottom left corner.

With 6 minutes left on the clock, St Mirren were nearly gifted another goal when Keith Watson attempted an ambitious header to return the ball to Ross Laidlaw. His headed pass was cut out by Kyle MacAllister who then cannoned a left-footed effort off the near post from inside the box.

In the 2nd minute of injury time, the Saints sealed the victory when Jamie McGrath converted from the penalty spot. Bobby Madden pointed to the spot after adjuding Leo Hjelde to have handled the ball inside the area when attempting to block a Kyle McAllister shot. McGrath then stepped up to roll the subsequent penalty down the middle of the goal to guarantee all 3 points for the Buddies.

County have dropped into the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off position after Kilmarnock leapfrogged the Staggies with an impressive 3-0 victory over Dundee United tonight. John Hughes’ men are still 3 points clear of Hamilton Academical, who remain at the foot of the league.

*Match report courtesy of Ross County Football Club*.