Saints carve out a victory as two red cards knock stuffing out of County
THE St Mirren players feasted on a Boxing Day lunch of turkey sandwiches supplied by the manager’s wife and then proceeded to put the bite on nine-man Ross County.
Due to the latest lockdown restrictions, the Buddies squad were unable to dine at their usual Inverness pre-match stop-over.
But despite being forced to eat on the go as it were, Jim Goodwin’s side managed to keep County at bay for the best part of an hour before the home side shot themselves in both feet.
Already down to ten men following teenager Josh Reid’s dismissal on 36 minutes for a second caution following another rash challenge on Kyle McAllister, the Staggies were dealt another blow as Ross Draper also saw red.
Referee Colin Steven had no option but to administer two cautions to Draper after he lunged at Ethan Erhahon as the St Mirren player lay on the ground following the veteran midfielder’s initial challenge on the hour mark.
The pair will no doubt reflect that their impetuous behaviour ultimately very probably cost their side a point after County had upped their work-rate and shown far greater commitment than they had done of late under former manager Stuart Kettlewell.
St Mirren took full advantage of their numerical superiority and proceeded to score twice in the final 14 minutes to consign their rivals to a sixth consecutive defeat, five of them in the Premiership.
Former Staggies star Marcus Fraser claimed the opener when he took one touch on a cross from the right and beat Ross Laidlaw with a deflected shot after 76 minutes.
County were then forced to throw caution to the wind as Saints stepped up the pressure and were caught out when substitute Kristian Dennis scored the second with a well-placed header in the 85th minute.
County have now gone 12 league matches without a win, which is relegation form in anyone’s book.
Yet, they remain just a single point behind secondbottom Hamilton and John Hughes is optimistic about his new side’s survival hopes if they keep rolling up their sleeves and digging deep.
The former Scottish Cupwinning Inverness boss said: ‘Until the first sending-off, I felt we were the better team and had the better chances.
‘We were right out of the traps and they played with everything I asked of them, then came the sending-off.
‘There is no finger of blame being pointed at young Josh. He’s been magnificent in the short time since I came in and it’s a learning process for him.
‘But the game changed and we were under the cosh. But, even with 10 men, I thought the spirit and desire to keep a clean sheet was commendable.
‘I’ve had a look back at the two sending-offs and I thought Josh’s first booking was a little soft. The referee put pressure on himself and with the second foul, so Josh has to go.
‘As far as Drapes was concerned, I knew why he was angry because he hardly touched the guy, but in the aftermath he can’t raise his hands — that’s any easy red for the referee.
‘After that, we were up against it and went kamikaze at the end. If we had managed to keep it at one-nil for a spell, I think we might have managed to give them a wee fright, but we need to be a little bit more streetwise.
‘But I knew what I was getting with these guys. They play with their hearts and spirit and it’s just up to me to organise them.’
After seeing his side’s 11-match unbeaten run ended by Hibs in midweek, counterpart Goodwin said: ‘The result was the most important thing.
‘Given the run we had been on, it was important we didn’t lose today in what was a really difficult game.
‘They had us pegged back in the opening 15 minutes and the conditions weren’t ideal.
‘If it hadn’t been for a fantastic double save by Jak Alnwick, we would have fallen behind — and deservedly so, If I’m honest.
‘But we weathered the storm and grew into the game. There wasn’t a great deal between the teams, but young Reid being sent off changed the whole game, I’d say.
‘Our preparations weren’t ideal with our pre-match lunch cancelled on us at the last minute, but we asked them not to use that as an excuse or talk about the pitch being heavy in the rain and they showed what characters they are.
‘We could have played better and will play better in the future, but today was about the result and they give you everything.’
ROSS COUNTY(4-4-2): Laidlaw; Watson (McKay 82), Morris, Iacovitti, Reid; Vigurs (Tremaro 39, Donaldson 82) Kelly, Draper, Paton; Hylton (Tillson 65), Shaw. Subs (not used): Doohan, Wright, Williamson. Booked Reid, Draper. Booked: Reid, Draper. Sent off: Reid, Draper
ST MIRREN (4-4-2): Alnwick; Fraser (Flynn 86), McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait; McAllister (Durmus 57), McGrath (McPherson 65), Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (Dennis 65); Morias, Erwin (Obika 57).
Subs (not used): Lyness, Foley, Connolly, Jamieson. Booked: Alnwick.
Referee: Colin Steven.