First division: Rampant County triumph again but title party remains on hold

Ross County’s party remains on hold for a few days at least even though they won 3-1 win at Livingston.

The champions-elect travelled to West Lothian knowing they could have gone home with the title secured, but second placed Dundee proved the fly in the ointment as they beat Falkirk 3-1 to remain within 15 points of the leaders and delay the inevitable.

Derek Adams’ side can win the league tomorrow if Dundee fail to beat Queen of the South at Dens Park, or, if that fails to happen, on Wednesday they can do it under their own steam by taking a point at Ayr United.

However, should Dundee pick up three points and County go down to the Honest Men, the first of four further chances to be crowned champions will come on Saturday when the Dens Park men travel to Victoria Park.

County’s latest success began when Colin McMenamin headed home a Michael Gardyne cross seven minutes from half-time. Livingston levelled at the start of the second period when Rory Boulding shot home. However, McMenamin headed in his second and substitute Iain Vigurs sealed things with five minutes left when he nodded home.

Adams said: “This win keeps things ticking over nicely and I have to praise my players for getting to game number 29 undefeated. That really is a staggering record in a division that is very competitive and has good teams in it. There is still a job to be done, but I have confidence in my players that they can do it.”

Dundee’s success over Falkirk moved Barry Smith’s side seven points clear in second place. Stephen O’Donnell scored on 12 minutes with a fine shot from over 20 yards out. The Bairns levelled 12 minutes later when Mark Millar’s drive took a wicked bounce on its way past Rab Douglas. However, Smith’s side regained the lead on 34 minutes when Ryan Conroy netted a penalty after Darren Dods had handled. Stevie Milne ensured County’s title party was delayed when he shot home a Leighton McIntosh cut-back in 57 minutes.

While issues at the top look pretty clear-cut, the opposite is true at the other end of the table with Queen of the South, Ayr, Raith Rovers and Morton all involved in a relegation fight.

Raith had the best result of the weekend when coming from behind to win 2-1 against Hamilton, who led at half-time through Mark McLaughlin. Damian Casalinuovo capitalised on an error by Accies goalkeeper David Hutton to level and Allan Walker won three precious points just after the hour.

Second-bottom Ayr lost 3-1 at home to Partick Thistle with Chris Erskine and Kris Doolan having the Jags two up before half-time. Substitute Adam Dodd gave the Honest Men hope with 11 minutes left. However, the Ayr scorer was then sent off with four minutes left and Thistle made the extra man pay when Mark McGuigan added an injury-time third.

Bottom side Queen of the South came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Morton. Fouad Bachirou gave the Greenock side a first-half lead, but Sam Parkin headed in a leveller with an hour gone. Peter MacDonald fired the Cappielow men ahead again before Dan Carmichael levelled with 11 minutes remaining.