Ross County 2 - 0 Morton: Steven Milne's strike eases County's relegation fears

Published on Friday 25 March 2011 14:58

Ross County 2 Gardyne 46; Milne 86 Morton 0

ROSS County's relegation angst was eased a little after a tense, battling display that seemed to put home boss Jimmy Calderwood through the mill. The former Aberdeen and Dunfermline boss was often exasperated as he kicked every ball before Steven Milne's late clincher ensured victory.

With the away side defending well early on, Morton's Brian Graham saw his overhead kick deflect for a corner after 25 minutes.

There was no disguising Calderwood's growing frustration in the home technical area as the half progressed and County's possession proved fruitless.

Three minutes before the break, County squandered a golden opportunity. Andy Barrowman and Milne beat the off-side trap as Richard Brittain dinked the ball over the 'Ton defence. Barrowman seemed caught in two minds with only the keeper to beat and over-hit his pass across the face of goal.

County's response after what must have been a half-time ticking off was immediate. They have bemoaned a lack of breaks, but it fell nicely for them as Richard Brittain found Jason Marr from the right. Marr's ball into the box struck off Marc Smyth's legs and into the path of Gardyne in front of goal who slipped it past keeper Kevin Cuthbert from five yards.

After Stuart McCaffrey took Vigurs out just outside the box on 55 minutes, Richard Brittain's free-kick dipped a whisker over the bar. After 67 minutes, a terrific long ball from Marc Fitzpatrick found Barrowman controlling behind the away defence.

Barrowman shot just wide and Vigurs did the same soon after from another piercing attack.

With tensions rising in the home camp, County keeper McGovern made a crucial point-blank stop from Allan Jenkins with 15 minutes left.

Milne grabbed the killer second with four minutes left, driving low past the keeper from ten yards from Barrowman's neatly-slipped pass.