scottish premiership
ST JOHNSTONE cemented fourth place in the Premiership table with a deserved victory over injury- hit Ross County at Global Energy Stadium.
A Danny Swanson penalty just before the break and a Chris Kane goal 17 minutes from the end were enough to seal the points for Saints.
County’s day began poorly with the news striker Craig Curran had been ruled out with a calf injury and things it got worse when skipper Andrew Davies had to withdraw after he pulled up with a similar injury in the warm-up.
But Saints’ manager, Tommy Wright was delighted with his side’s display.
He said: “We played extremely well today. I thought we were excellent in the first half – the best we’ve been with the ball all season.”
He added: “We put Ross County under a lot of pressure and they defended quite well. We were maybe a bit over-elaborate in the last third but we deserved to be 1-0 up.
“Sometimes there is nothing wrong with clearing your lines and getting the ball down to the other end of the pitch.
“But in that spell we still created chances. We had very good counter-attacking play and the second goal was a very good example of that.”
There was little in the way of clear goal-mouth chances in the first half and it took a penalty kick to give Saints the lead.
McEveley collided with Kane in the box and when the Saints forward went down referee Crawford Allan pointed to the spot. Swanson made no mistake from 12 yards.
County dictated the pace after the break without creating anything much in the way of goalscoring opportunities and they were caught out on the break when Kane
slotted home a David Wotherspoon pass to secure victory.
County manager, Jim McIntyre felt his side’s first-half offering was the worst performance so far this season.
He said: “We didn’t play with any energy or tempo.
“Whether losing Craig Cur ran and Andrew Davies had an effect on the players’ minds, that should never be the case.”
He added: “I just think it was one of those performances where you’re left scratching your head.
“We had such an opportunity to jump into fourth spot and we didn’t take it.
“But you have to give St Johnstone credit. They were better than us today and they deserved it.”
County’s miserable afternoon was complete when Liam Boyce was helped off the pitch near the end with an injury.