Butcher rages at Dundee fightback

Published on Sunday 7 March 2010 23:16

INVERNESS looked to have opened up the title race when they established a two-goal lead against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday, but Terry Butcher's men incurred the wrath of their manager by conceding two late goals.

"We threw that game away and it is a low point in my managerial career," said Butcher. "We were dominating for 75 minutes and I am sick. I feel sorry the fans who had to go through that again."

Butcher was referring to his side's capitulation in last November's Alba Challenge Cup final when they lost 3-2 to the same opponents after being two goals ahead.

On this occasion Richie Foran headed Inverness ahead just a minute into the second half and when Eric Odhiambo added a second just before the hour mark Dundee looked a beaten side.

However, a 35-yard effort from Brian Kerr with 12 minutes to go sparked them into life and Gary Harkins secured a point in the closing minutes with a deflected effort.

Dundee manager Jocky Scott said: "We looked dead and buried but scoring the first goal gave everyone a lift."

Ross County won for the first time in three games to remain in second place when they beat Raith Rovers 1-0 at Victoria Park, although Derek Adams' side had to rely on a Richard Brittain penalty 15 minutes from time to win. Lawrie Ellis was judged to have fouled Scott Boyd and Brittain successfully converted his sixth spot kick of the season.

Queen of the South retained outside hopes of promotion with a 1-0 win that saw them leapfrog visitors Partick Thistle. Stewart Kean was the matchwinner with a second-half header from a Bob Harris cross.

Dunfermline kept their more slender hopes alive with a 2-0 win over an Airdrie United side cast adrift at the bottom of the table, eight points behind Ayr United.

Dunfermline were given a soft looking penalty to break the deadlock nine minutes into the second half when Airdrie goalkeeper Stephen Robertson clashed with Steven Bell. Andy Kirk made no mistake from the spot and Bell clinched victory when he knocked in a Willie Gibson cross late on.

Ayr enjoyed their first home league game in three months by seeing off Morton 2-0 to move within two points of their visitors in the battle to avoid a relegation play-off place. The Greenock side had looked the livelier with Peter Weatherson striking a post and recent signing Donavan Simmonds missing a couple of chances before Mark Roberts fired Ayr ahead from 25 yards out midway through the first half.

Ayr took a firmer grip on the game just three minutes into the second half when Tam McManus scored from the spot after Dominic Shimmin had fouled Steve Bowey. Morton captain Stewart Greacen was sent off late in the game.

Ayr manager Brian Reid said: "We have a game in hand on Morton and eight home games to come so we will be looking to keep creeping up the table."

Second and third division round-ups on page 11