County nick draw as Jags pay the penalty late on
ALEX SCHALK struck late to dramatically salvage a point for Ross County as Partick Thistle’s sturdy resistance finally cracked.
The Maryhill men had led from the 22nd minute after Blair Spittal’s deft Dingwall opener and the points seemed to be heading to Glasgow after wasteful County squandered chance after chance.
But substitute Schalk, slated for diving last season against Celtic, grabbed his chance by winning a clearcut penalty and converting the vital kick from Jordan Turnbull’s foul.
It was a deserved reply for the hosts, who passed up a whole catalogue of opportunities in both halves.
Partick at least climbed off the table’s foot, while County could only curse that lack of killer touch as they moved to four points.
Home manager Jim McIntyre stressed: “In the second half especially, we had some really good opportunities. We made some good ones first half as well.
“It was really pleasing we continued to play because sometimes when the goal goes against the run of play it knocks you out of your stride.
“Thistle are a good side, but we said to the lads at half-time to keep doing what they were doing, keep believing and it would come.”
Young Davis Keillor-Dunn, part of Ross County’s titlewinning development team last season, earned his first start – and proved a standout performer with some sublime touches.
Partick came north seeking their first Premiership points of the season after four straight defeats and a run of eight losses dating back to last season.
There was terrific confidence and intent from 19- year- old Keillor- Dunn, with the Sunderland- born wide man’s superb fifth-minute cross met by a strong Curran header that spun only just beyond Tomas Cerny’s right hand post.
With only eight minutes gone, came County’s closedt call of the first half.
Michael Gardyne released Mikkelsen on the right and when the big Dane’s cross was met sweetly by the head of Keillor-Dunn it took a timely Devine clearance to spare the opener. Keillor-Dunn continued to buzz with ideas when supplied, but from one delivery Mikkelsen headed poorly wide.
Partick began to settle around the 20- minute mark and it was Kris Doolan’s quick- thinking that caught County out for the opener after 22 minutes.
A throw-in was awarded on Partick’s right flank and Doolan spotted an opportunistic burst forward by Spittal and launched him into space.
County’s startled rearguard had no time to recover before Spittal scythed a 12-yard shot past Aaron McCarey.
The second half opened in battering rain but it failed to douse the fire of either side.
After Partick pressure, County blew further chances before finally grabbing the leveller with 12 minutes left
Conor Sammon’s mistake led to Turnbull pulling down Schalk in the box and the Dutchman levelled calmly from the spot.
County might even have won it as a Draper header was brilliantly saved by Scully.
Par tick manager Alan Archibald said: “A point is a positive because of where we are to get us off the mark but after leading the game for so long it feels like a defeat.”