First division round-up: County remain in top spot and underline their title credentials

Ross County, who had quietly climbed the First Division table into top spot over recent weeks, shouted out their claims to be genuine promotion contenders on Saturday when they ground their way to a 1-0 win over second placed Hamilton Accies at Victoria Park.

County boss Derek Adams will, no doubt, continue to keep Highland hopes in check, but the Dingwall side have now gone eight games without defeat and are at the midway stage of the type of run that the First Division winners in recent seasons St Johnstone, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dunfermline all went on to secure their success.

The game’s only goal came just after the half-hour when summer signing Grant Munro shot home from eight yards. Adams was pleased that his men showed substance, as he explained: “We have a resilience about us now which we did not have before.”

“We are on a great run and have gathered in 19 points so I am pleased with where we are.”

Disappointed Hamilton boss Billy Reid said: “There was not much between the sides and we should have gone home with a point.”

Falkirk moved into second place, three points behind County, although they will be disappointed that the margin is not smaller after their 2-2 draw at Partick Thistle.

Farid El Alagui gave them the lead at half-time, but David Rowson levelled with a fine drive just three minutes into the second half.

Falkirk looked to have won the points when Kallum Higginbotham curled home a free kick, but home substitute Chris Erskine popped up deep into injury time with a leveller from 12 yards.

It was case of honours even in West Lothian as Livingston and Morton drew 1-1. The visitors went in front after 15 minutes through David O’Brien, with the home side equalising from the penalty spot after debutant goalkeeper Matthew McGinlay brought down Marc McNulty.

Former Greenock striker Iain Russell showed his old club no mercy by slotting in the spot kick.

Queen of the South secured their first away win of the season by defeating Raith Rovers 2-0 at Stark’s Park. Doonhamer Scott McLaughlin drilled home the opening goal in 18 minutes and the lead was preserved when the home side’s John Baird could only strike a post following a goalmouth scramble just before half-time.

The win was sealed with 15 minutes left when former Rover Mark Campbell nodded down for Tom Brighton to score.

Dundee pushed hosts Ayr United into bottom spot with a 3-1 win at the Honest Men’s Somerset Park ground. Rhys Weston headed in the opener for the Dark Blues on 15 minutes and Barry Smith’s men had the chance to make it two before half-time when they were awarded a penalty, but the usually reliable Matt Lockwood was denied by a fine save from Kevin Cuthbert.

Youngster Leighton McIntosh produced a tidy finish to grab a second with 19 minutes to go before Ayr came back through a Mark Roberts penalty. Steven Milne finally ensured that the points would go to Tayside when he headed in a third Dundee goal in the 87th minute.