Two Staggies see red as Buddies seal spoils
Fraser (76), Dennis (80)
Jim Goodwin praised “professional” St Mirren for grinding out a valuable win despite pre-match preparations being thrown into chaos by Covid-19 lockdown.
The pre-match meal planned for his players was cancelled late on after the Highlands was plunged into Tier 4 regulations from Boxing Day.
The Buddies toiled in tough conditions and might have fallen behind before two red cards – one in either half for the hosts – changed the game completely.
Goodwin, though, had cautioned his team against using excuses before the match and seemed pleased they had stuck to the task, returned to winning ways, and stayed seventh in the Premiership table.
He said: “Today the result was the most important thing, especially after the defeat midweek to Hibs.
“In the opening 15 minutes, they had us pegged back.
“The conditions weren’t ideal and we just couldn’t seem to get out.
“If it wasn’t for a fantastic double save by Jak Alnwick, we would have fallen behind – and deservedly so, if I’m honest.
“We weathered that storm and I felt we grew into the game.
“There wasn’t a great deal between the teams, I have to admit, but having young Reid sent off changes the whole game, I’d say.
“It was a difficult afternoon. The preparations for the game weren’t ideal. We had our pre-match lunch cancelled on us at the last minute, which was disappointing.
“But we asked them not to use that as an excuse or talk about the pitch being heavy in the rain.
“We asked them to show us what characters they are – and they are a terrific bunch of lads.”
New County manager John Hughes couldn’t have hoped for a brighter start, but there were no early goals to show.
Inside four minutes, Alnwick made a double save to deny the hosts.
Iain Vigurs’ corner swung in dangerously from the left and was knocked goalward by one of his own defenders.
The reflex stop was knocked off the line by Ethan Erhahon with the keeper then having to push a powerful header from
County’s Alex Iacovitti over the bar.
County held sway for a spell but only had another, weak Kelly attempt and some earnest endeavour around Saints penalty box to show for it.
Calamity – never far away for County this season – struck the hosts after 37 minutes.
Josh Reid, booked for an earlier foul on Kyle Mcallister, took down the same wide man again and received his second yellow.
County’s prospects deteriorated further with a second red card soon after.
Midfielder Ross Draper took exception with Erhahon after the Saints man went down under his attentions. Booked for the foul, Draper was then booked again for gesticulating at his opponent.
Saints encircled the home penalty area, but County’s luck held as Joe Shaughnessy shinned a great opening wide in front of goal, eight yards out, after 72 minutes.
But their luck would only hold for so long.
With 76 minutes gone, home defender Iacovitti’s block broke to Marcus Fraser 16 yards out and the former County skipper lashed a deflected strike into the back of the net.
It was all over with 10 minutes left as Ilkay Durmus’s cross from the left was clinically knocked home by Kristian Dennis.