County edging closer to league title but relegation issues looking far from settled
Ross County’s draw with Dundee United on Friday night maintained their fivepoint advantage at the top of the Championship table but Alloa’s 2-1 success at Falkirk on Saturday has resulted in only four points separating the bottom five clubs.
Dario Zanatta was given time and space in the Bairns box to drill in the opening goal on 38 minutes but, within a minute of the restart, the hosts were level when Zak Rudden tucked away Deimantas Petravicius’ cross.
The goal which takes Jim Goodwin’s side to within a point of falkirk came four minutes from time, when recently introduced substitute Jordan Kirkpatrick bundled his way past William Edjenguele and Paul Dixon before sending a shot into the net via Harry Burgoyne’s foot.
Goodwin, right, said: “When you are bottom of the table at this stage of the season it is vital to win. I spoke to the players and built up a belief that we could come to Falkirk and win and we did.”
Falkirk manager Ray Mckinnon said: “I am disappointed as it is an opportunity missed. The players put in a lot of effort and we created chances but we could not get in front. Alloa sucker-punched us at the end so we need to bounce back.”
Queen of the South looked set to head the mini-league of teams facing the drop when they led against visitors Morton but the Greenock side secured a 1-1 draw.
Kyle Jacobs hit home a fine strike to put the Doonhamers ahead before half-time but the Greenock men battled back and prevented their hosts completing a leapfrog move over them when Charlie Telfer sent a low shot past Jack Leighfield on 64 minutes.
Partick Thistle also showed their fighting qualities by coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Dunfermline at Firhill.
Tom Beadling took a cutback in his stride before shooting past Conor Hazard for the opening Pars goal on ten minutes with Bruce Anderson volleying in a Louis Longridge corner 14 minutes later.
Thistle’s fightback started on 31 minutes when Ryan Blair turned a Scott Mcdonald cross into his own net. Mcdonald secured the point when he sent a half-volley past Ryan Scully with 13 minutes left.
In between issues at the top and bottom, Inverness Caledonian Thistle moved into third with a 1-0 success at Ayr United.
The Highlanders missed an early opportunity to take the lead when Aaron Doran saw his penalty kick saved by Ross Doohan.
The points did head north on 66 minutes when substitute Brad Mckay was able to turn in a James Chalmers freekick that had escaped everyone else’s attention until he popped up at the back post.