Ross Conty 2-2 Livingston: Ten-man County come back at the double

Published on Saturday 2 May 2009 19:43

Ross County 2 Craig 54, pen 59 Livingston 2 Griffiths 17; Halliday 51

ROSS County staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down with 10 men – but still face an anxious last-day test in their bid for safety.

The Dingwall side now require a result at Morton next Saturday to be sure of avoiding the play-offs despite Steven Craig's goals salvaging a point.

County controlled the first 15 minutes, but went behind to Livingston's first serious attack. Scott Boyd was to blame with a weak defensive header and, as Leigh Griffiths tore on to it, County's Alex Keddie clearly tugged the striker's jersey as he crashed to earth. Referee David Somers awarded a free-kick just outside the area before red carding Keddie.

Griffiths took the kick himself and beat Derek Soutar with a lovely left foot strike.

The second half was incident-packed with Chris Malone handling a Steven Craig cross in the box, only for Higgins to drill the penalty straight into Roddy McKenzie's legs.

County looked dead and buried six minutes into the half when Andrew Halliday squeezed the ball home from a Gary Miller corner.

But Craig sparked a stunning recovery three minutes later as County struck on the break.

A Richard Brittain pass released Craig who hit the ball into the far corner of the net.

Then, after 58 minutes, Cameron McDonald cut down Craig in the box, and the striker netted from the spot.

There was then a nine-minute delay when referee David Somers succumbed to injury. A Tannoy appeal finally identified a replacement from the stands.

County looked likeliest in the final quarter with a Richard Brittain strike blocked on the line and Craig slicing a hat-trick chance high into the crowd.