First Division: Controversial top-of-table clash ends in shared spoils

LEADERS Ross County’s run of nine successive league wins came to an end at the weekend, as did Dundee’s run of five wins in a row when the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Dingwall.

Dundee took the lead on 35 minutes when the home side’s Scott Morrison lost possession of the ball, and winger Jamie McCluskey picked out Steven Milne, who netted from 10 yards.

Dundee celebrations were quickly muted as, a minute later, Stephen O’Donnell was sent off for a tackle on Iain Vigurs.

Derek Adams responded to his one-man advantage by putting striker Steven Craig on in place of Morrison at half-time.

Michael Gardyne, Vigurs and Craig all went close to a leveller before former Dundee striker Colin McMenamin found the net when he controlled a Vigurs drive and slotted the equaliser past Rab Douglas.

County almost grabbed a winner with a header from Scott Boyd. However, Douglas produced a fine save to ensure a share of the spoils.

Adams said: “We tried to win the game and dominated the second-half but it was not to be despite having four strikers on the park.

“It was a definite sending off as their player had his studs up.”

Smith did not share Adams’ view of O’Donnell’s dismissal, saying: “It was not a red card. In fact, it was an awful decision. We may have lost a late goal, but I am proud of my players.”

Falkirk moved above Dundee into second and sit six points behind County after a 5-1 win at Queen of the South.

It was the Doonhamers who took the lead in 33 minutes, when Scott McLaughlin was on hand to tuck the ball away after Nicky Clark had been denied.

However, Falkirk drew level before half-time when Craig Sibbald waltzed past a couple of defenders and scored from 30 yards out.

The scores were tied until 18 minutes from time, when Farid El Alagui fired home. The roof fell in on the home side as Sibbald, Kallum Higginbotham and El Alagui added goals.

Raith Rovers moved off bottom spot and up to eighth place with a controversial 1-0 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill.

John Baird scored the game’s only goal in 66 minutes when he forced the ball home from a Joe Hamill corner, with many at the ground – including one of referee Mike Tumilty’s assistants – believing a handball offence had been committed in the act.

Thistle manager Jackie McNamara was sent to the stand for his comments to Tumilty when the referee over-ruled his assistant.

The Hamilton Accies and Morton contest, as well as Livingston’s game with Ayr United were casualties of the weather.