Champions-elect County forced to put party on hold after late penalty drama

Ross County are just four points short of clinching the First Division title, but the Dingwall men are convinced that their target would only be two had referee Stevie McLean not erred in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Raith Rovers.

Derek Adams’ side and their Fife visitors both made and missed chances, before the champions-elect made the breakthrough with six minutes to go through Paul Lawson.

Plans for a title winning trip to Livingston next weekend, regardless of what happens when second-placed Dundee host Falkirk, were being drawn up but the excitement was dampened down five minutes into injury-time.

Rover Jason Thomson went down in the box after a challenge by Stuart Kettlewell and whistler McLean pointed to the spot. Pat Clarke scored to give the Stark’s Park side a precious point in their bid to get out of relegation trouble.

Adams said afterwards: “I have watched the incident again and I do not think it is a penalty. Stuart won the ball. We will just have to keep going and move on to Livingston now.”

Rovers manager John McGlynn bucked the usual trend of decrying County’s achievements by saying: “The league table never lies and I am of the opinion that managers should only concentrate on their own team. I do not think Ross County are doing an awful lot wrong.”

Livingston moved into fifth place after defeating hosts Partick Thistle 3-2, despite the Firhill side having taken an early lead through midfielder Paul Cairney, who shot low past Andy McNeil following good work from Sean Welsh and Chris Erskine

Their lead lasted until the 20-minute mark, when Rory Boulding, who scored twice in last weekend’s 5-2 success at Falkirk, fired in a shot from 25 yards out. It should have been a straightforward save for Ryan Scully, but the young shot-stopper failed to gather properly and the ball rolled over the line.

Boulding then gave Livi the lead just seconds after the restart when he darted past a static home defence and goalkeeper Scully to net.

It was three on 50 minutes when another Scully error saw Iain Russell presented with the ball 30 yards from goal and he duly lobbed home.

Aaron Sinclair quickly replied with a fine free-kick but Thistle were unable to conjure up an equaliser.

Queen of the South have given themselves a chance of avoiding relegation after defeating Ayr United 2-1 at Palmerston, moving to within two points of Raith Rovers and three of their visitors. Former Scotland midfielder Allan Johnston used all his experience to fire Gus McPherson’s men ahead on 13 minutes after Kevin Holt headed a John Potter cross into his path allowing him to shoot home from 12 yards.

Sam Parkin then doubled their advantage midway through the first-half, rising to head home a Scott McLaughlin corner.

A Michael Moffat goal 12 minutes from time, following good work from Liam Tomsett, set up a nervous ending, but the Doonhamers held out.