First Division roundup: Adams targets unbeaten run to end of season for runaway leaders

ROSS County are not quite out of sight at the top of the table but Saturday’s 2-0 win at Hamilton Accies saw them become an even smaller target for the chasing clubs to aim for.

The Dingwall men returned to the only ground they have tasted defeat on this season in the league and they made up for their 5-1 reverse back in August to record a 24th consecutive game without defeat.

The contest was as good as over after 16 minutes after Colin McMenamin’s 20-yard drive skipped low past David Hutton and defender Scott Boyd had risen highest to nod home a Richard Brittain cross.

County curbed their attacking intentions after establishing their advantage, but they gave Hamilton little hope they could get back into things with only a second-half header from Martin Canning causing any alarm.

Derek Adams’ side are back in action tomorrow when they play their last game in hand and a win over visitors Morton would see them go 14 points clear. However, even that will not be enough for the Victoria Park boss to start talking about a title success.

Adams said: “I can’t praise the players enough for what they have done, but we are taking nothing for granted. Ideally, I would like to see us go undefeated until the end of the season.”

Falkirk’s pursuit of County faltered further in a 1-1 draw with visitors Partick Thistle, with the Bairns surviving a late penalty scare to secure their point. The first-half was brightened up by a fine chipped shot from the Jags’ Paul Cairney from 20 yards out, with Falkirk equalising six minutes after the break when Mark Millar blasted home from the spot after Aaron Sinclair was penalised for handball.

Kieron Duffie was red-carded midway through the second-half for a foul on Firhill’s dashing winger Chris Erskine and it looked like the day would get worse for Steven Pressley’s side when substitute Rhys Bennett hauled down Cairney in the box.

But goalkeeper Michael McGovern ensured a share of the spoils by keeping out Cairney’s effort from 12 yards, with Pressley admitting afterwards: “County are in such a strong position that it is their title to lose now.”

Queen of the South gave their fight to avoid relegation a real boost by defeating Raith Rovers 1-0 at Palmerston. The Doonhamers had been told by manager Gus McPherson that this was a must-win game, but it looked like it was not going to be their day when Allan Johnston’s shot just before the hour mark hit the bar and bounced to safety.

The points were secured, however, eight minutes from time when Kevin Smith set up his fellow substitute Gavin Reilly to shoot home from 20 yards out.

The Dumfries side’s win set alarm bells ringing in Greenock, where Morton went down to a 3-1 defeat against Livingston to sit only five points off bottom spot on the back of a three-game losing run.

Livingston youngster Marc McNulty opened the scoring after just five minutes with Peter MacDonald heading in a leveller midway through the first-half. Former Morton player Iain Russell put Livingston ahead five minutes before half-time and Craig Barr headed in the clincher in the 50th minute.