Published on Monday 27 February 2012 04:20
Ross County’s 1-1 draw with hosts Dundee on Saturday coupled with Falkirk’s 3-0 success over Queen of the South has seen the Dingwall men’s nine-point lead cut down to one of goal difference only, although they have games in hand.
Stuart Kettlewell gave County the lead after 10 minutes when Scott Morrison crossed from the left and Richard Brittain set up the midfielder to force the ball past Rab Douglas.
Dundee pulled level 20 minutes later, when referee Mike Tumilty appeared to change his mind on a penalty box challenge from Kettlewell on Carl Finnigan and Ryan Conroy despatched home the spot-kick.
The second half saw plenty of effort but little creativity, with the closest to a goal coming when former Dark Blue Colin McMenamin headed against the crossbar.
County manager Derek Adams said: “We are disappointed not to be leaving with three points as I thought we merited them. We have three games in hand which could give us a nine-point advantage but life is not as easy as that.”
Counterpart Barry Smith lamented: “We were left chasing the game and that is happening too often. We need wins to get closer to them as draws are not rally that helpful.”
Dingwall attention will now turn to Ayr United on Wednesday night as they look to get back to leading again by more substantial means.
Falkirk sent Queen of the South to the foot of the table with their success at the Falkirk Stadium. The points stayed at home after two first-half goals in two minutes. Farid El Alagui poked the ball home at the second attempt and then former Palmerston player Willie Gibson hit home a Stewart Murdoch cutback before Darren Dods added another goal to his best ever tally for a season by adding the third 11 minutes from time.
The honeymoon period for new manager John Hughes did not last long as Livingston went down 3-1 to Ayr United despite taking an early lead when debutant Dean Cummings swept home a Bobby Barr pass.
Livingston were on top until Andy Geggan poked the ball home 12 minutes from half-time, and the Honest Men took the lead eight minutes into the second half when Eddie Malone headed home with Geggan nodding in a third shortly afterwards.
Hamilton gained revenge for a recent home defeat from Morton by winning 2-1 at Cappielow with striker Jon McShane overcoming a cut eye to shoot his side ahead on 11 minutes.
It was two 16 minutes later, when youngster Andy Ryan curled home from 25 yards out, with the Accies taking the three points home despite David O’Brien’s late counter for the home side.
Raith Rovers came from behind to secure a third win of the season over a Partick Thistle side that had Paul Paton dismissed after clashing with Brian Graham midway through the second half. The Jags had gone ahead after half an hour when Kris Doolan sent home a Stephen O’Donnell pass. However, the Kirkcaldy side levelled with just over an hour played when Graham smashed home an Allan Walker free kick.
John Baird popped up with the winner after Paton’s dismissal when he headed in a cross from Willie Dyer.
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