First division: Ross County march 15 points clear

With nine games to play, it looks like only a major collapse is going to deny Derek Adams’ side the First Division title.

The opener came in 19 minutes when Stephen Kingsley put Michael McGovern under pressure with a short pass-back and the former County goalkeeper was dismissed as he fouled Colin McMenamin in the chase.

Sixteen-year-old Graham Bowman replaced McGovern and he was beaten by Richard Brittain from 12 yards out. He was beaten again six minutes later by Rocco Quinn’s shot from 15 yards.

Mark Millar gave Falkirk hope when he curled home a 30-yard free-kick with little more than an hour played. But hopes of a comeback ended on 82 minutes when Farid El Alagui was dismissed after a second booking.

Adams said: “I would have taken a 2-1 win before the beginning, so I am pleased. There are still eight games to go but the players stood up well to the pressure of being leaders.”

Falkirk boss Steven Pressley said: “County deserve to be in first place. They are a strong side. However, I am very excited about my team’s potential as they are playing good pressing football with good ball retention.”

Dundee defeated hosts Morton 2-0 to move into second place and now have the best chance, albeit a thin one, of catching the leaders as they have an extra game still to play.

Ryan Conroy scored both goals – a first-half penalty and a 55th-minute chip.

Morton are being dragged towards relegation trouble and their cause was not helped by Peter Weatherson’s dismissal.

The ‘Friday Night Football’ game between Livingston and Hamilton was played on Saturday afternoon after the West Lothian pitch had dried out overnight, and Livi went down 4-0.

Jon McShane had opened the scoring before Jason Talbot was dismissed for the Lions and Accies added further goals through Danny Redmond and Jon Routledge (2).

Raith Rovers’ Damian Casalinuovo struck three minutes into injury-time to grab a point in their 2-2 relegation clash with Ayr United.

Brian Graham had nodded the home side in front before being sent off after a clash with Eddie Malone. The points looked to be heading for Somerset Park when Mark Roberts scored a penalty and Malone curled home a free- kick, before Casalinuovo’s late intervention.

Bottom of the table Queen of South went down 5-0 to visitors Partick Thistle with Kris Doolan scoring a double and Stephen O’Donnell, Chris Erskine and Christie Elliot also on target.