Dons limping to international break but wins keep coming for hardy side

Derek McInnes hopes his Aberdeen side can build on wins over Hamilton and Kilmarnock as they look to the next international break – and the opportunity to reduce their injury list.

Craig Bryson missed out on the 3-0 win against Killie after rolling his ankle in the midweek win at Hamilton, the third time an ankle injury has seen him miss out since his summer move from Derby County.

But looking forward, McInnes said: “(Kilmarnock) just came too soon for Craig but hopefully we can get a third win in a row against Ross County next week and go into the international break feeling a bit better for ourselves.”

Aberdeen’s top scorer, Sam Cosgrove, came off injured midway through the second half, but McInnes confirmed the striker will be back for the trip to Dingwall, adding: “He’s OK. He felt his groin a bit tight.

“We were debating whether to take Sam or Curtis off once Gary Dicker went back into the midfield.

“Sam probably could have played on but he’ll be fine for next week, as will Bryson.”

Killie captain Dicker held his hands up for Aberdeen’s first and third goals, and the club captain feels he should have done better despite playing out of position at centre-back.

The Irishman said “The only positive was Iain Wilson came in having not played a lot of football, but we were a bit scattered for the first time in a long time.

“Aberdeen haven’t had to work too hard for their 3-0 win and we didn’t deserve anything.

“I feel for the fans who have come up here and spent their money. It shows that we’re a few players short and it’s a smack of reality that we probably need.

“We can’t keep talking about the past. We have to move on and get better.

Ross County substitute Brian Graham struck two minutes from time to snatch a 2-2 draw for the Staggies at Hamilton Accies.

Brian Rice’s men had looked set for a first win in five matches after goals from Lewis Smith and George Oakley had cancelled out Billy McKay’s first-minute opener.

But with time ticking down former Dundee United and St Johnstone

Graham fastened on to Michael Gardyne’s centre to grab a late leveller.

Accies’ misery was compounded in injury time when Scott Martin was shown a red card for what looked like a foul on Ross Stewart.

Motherwell remain the Premiership’s third force following their dramatic late victory against Livingston.

Allan Campbell notched the winner with just seven minutes left to seal a 2-1 win over Gary Holt’s side.

Christopher Long fired Motherwell into the lead two minutes into the second half but that was cancelled out by a penalty from Steven Lawless.

It was Lawless’ first touch as he replaced Keaghan Jacobs when the penalty was awarded, and he made no mistake from 12 yards.

But in a frantic finish Campbell struck to give all three points to Stephen Robinson’s side.

Robinson has been heavily linked with the vacant manager’s job at Hearts but Motherwell fans will be hoping he stays where he is as he continues to keep them flying high in the league.