First Division: County swift off the mark with home advantage

Published on Sunday 20 September 2009 22:42

LEAGUE leaders Ross County, maintained a strong home record this season with a 2-1 win over Ayr United – their third victory at Victoria Park.

With striker Steven Craig starting in place of midfielder Stuart Kettlewell, the adventurous approach paid off with Richard Brittain and then Craig putting County two ahead in the opening 15 minutes.

However, Mark Roberts pulled one back early in the second half and Ayr almost hauled themselves level through Alistair Woodburn and then Ryan Stevenson.

County defender Alex Keddie was dismissed with two minutes left after picking up a second yellow card and he was swiftly followed by Ayr's Neil McGowan.

County manager Derek Adams said: "Last season we had four points from six games, with four of the games away from home. This season we have 13 points from six games with four of them at home so I am not getting overly excited yet."

Ayr manager Brain Reid said: "We recovered after a poor start and I am disappointed that we never forced an equaliser."

Queen of the South warmed up for Wednesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup tie with Rangers with a 2-0 win over Dundee at Palmerston Park, the game turning the way of Gordon Chilsholm's side after just five minutes. David Weatherston was brought down by Dundee goalkeeper Tony Bullock and the Englishman was dismissed before Steve Tosh sent the spot-kick past substitute shot-stopper Rab Douglas, midfielder Colin Cameron having made way for the former Scotland No1.

Despite their numerical handicap Dundee gave as good as they got for nearly an hour with Leigh Griffiths striking a post, but Derek Holmes shot home from close range just after the hour mark to make the points safe. Chisholm said: "The players were told to concentrate on this game and not the Rangers one. Playing against 10 men for so long is not always easy and I'm sure the performance has given them confidence for Wednesday."

Dundee manager Jocky Scott said: "I will not say too much about the penalty as I might end up in trouble with the SFA. It was harsh and made a difference to the game. We put in a lot of fight and determination afterwards, created chances but nothing went in for us."

Second-top Raith Rovers saw off Morton 3-0. French striker Gregory Tade struck in each half to pile more pressure on Cappielow manager David Irons with substitute Mark Ferry firing in a late third from 25 yards to make it five defeats out of six for the Greenock side.

Raith manager John McGlynn said: "We are unbeaten in six games but our realistic aim just now is to put as many points on the board as possible to ensure safety."

Irons said: "I will take the stick and I will keep trying to make this work. Nothing seems to be going our way but I will keep working away."

Partick Thistle celebrated 100 years of life at their Firhill home with a 2-0 win over Dunfermline, with Paul Cairney becoming the first player to score in the Firhill club's blue-and-white centenary strip when he took advantage of an under-hit Austin McCann pass-back to net in 41 minutes.

McCann found himself replaced immediately by Scott Muirhead but the change did little to improve the Dunfermline performance and Thistle secured the points when Simon Donnelly netted at the second attempt midway through the second half.

Firhill manager Ian McCall said: "The centenary means a lot to people here so it was great to mark that with a win. Our passing was excellent and with a bit more composure in the final third we could have scored more."

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre said: "We have to stop gifting away goals and the second half performance was embarrassing."

Airdrie United were left to rue a missed penalty from John Baird in their 1-1 draw with visitors Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Baird had shot his side into a first-half lead and had the chance to double their advantage in the second when Nauris Bulvitis fouled Alan Trouten in the box, but Ryan Esson dived to his left to block his effort. That proved the catalyst for Caley to force an equaliser when Irish winger Jonny Hayes converted a Richie Foran pass with seven minutes left.

Airdrie manager Kenny Black said: "The penalty would have given us some breathing space. It is disappointing not to win as I thought we created enough chances to do so."

Inverness manager Terry Butcher said: "Airdrie were better than us in every department and I have to admit we did not deserve a point."