First Division: Resilient County back in driving seat after winning habit is restored

Ross County roared back into control of the First Division title race by defeating Queen of the South 2-1 at Victoria Park to earn their second win in four days and end a stuttering run where a succession of draws allowed Falkirk to catch up.

Iain Vigurs gave his side the lead in the top-versus-bottom contest when he rifled in a kick out by goalkeeping team-mate Michael Fraser midway through the first-half, but the Doonhamers levelled 10 minutes into the second-half when Sam Parkin created an opening for Ryan McGuffie to shoot home.

The winner came from Michael Gardyne 18 minutes from time when he converted a through ball from Colin McMenamin and manager Derek Adams praised his men for their resilience.

He said: “We won at Ayr in midweek but did not get home until 2.30 in the morning. The players were back in training that afternoon and also on Friday before facing a hard-working Queen of the South side. It is a demanding time but they did really well.”

Disappointed Queen of the South manager Gus McPherson said: “I was actually thinking we could go on and get more than a point when we levelled but we lacked a bit of composure.”

County’s lead is now six points with two games in hand as Ayr defeated Falkirk 1-0 to secure a second win over the Bairns in a month. Brian Reid’s side knocked Steven Pressley’s side out of the Scottish Cup recently and Andy Geggan’s second-half headed winner could well prove to be a decisive moment in their promotion campaign.

The result also moves the Honest Men four points clear of McPherson’s Queen’s at the foot of the table.

Dundee’s promotion hopes were also in line for a knock until Jamie McCluskey popped up with a late winner in their 3-2 success at Livingston. The Dark Blues took the lead when McCluskey shot home, but the Lions were level at half time through Marc McNulty.

John Hughes’ side then went in front just seconds into the second-half when a Bobby Barr cross was turned into his own net by Neil McGregor before Carl Finnigan quickly levelled.

It looked like Dundee would fall 10 points behind County until McCluskey popped up to force the ball home following a corner.

Partick Thistle jumped over Hamilton and into fourth place by beating the Accies 2-0 at Firhill. Kris Doolan’s low shot opened the scoring after 18 minutes and Chris Erskine capped a fine individual display by making it two, 20 minutes into the second-half.

Raith Rovers won for the second time in row at Stark’s Park to move further away from the bottom spot, defeating Morton 5-0.

Former Morton striker Brian Graham opened the scoring after 35 minutes from a Joe Hammill corner and the Kirkcaldy men scored four more in the second-half.

Graham scored again a minute after the restart when he converted a John Baird cross before Baird himself knocked in number three. Substitutes Jamie Walker and Iain Williamson then added goals four and five to complete a fine day for the Fifers.