ROSS COUNTY 2

Mckay (pen,25), Stewart (79) Partick Thistle x

Gary Caldwell accused his ex-Scotland and Wigan team-mate Don Cowie of diving for Ross County’s breakthrough from the penalty spot as the Staggies went top of the league.

The Partick Thistle manager branded the 25th minute award “ridiculous” after watching Ross Stewart’s late second goal lift County above Ayr United in the title race.

Caldwell said: “It was total control from us, but we couldn’t put our chances away. It was a ridiculous penalty. Was it a clear dive? Yes.

“We know what’s missing and we’ll fix it in January. But in terms of how we play and the character in the squad, they were fantastic.”

After 16 minutes, Stewart’s attempt was headed off the line by Tam Scobbie.

The hosts went agonisingly close again after 24 minutes.

Jamie Lindsay hammered in a low drive from distance and Billy Mckay, on the move inside the penalty box, tried to redirect the ball into the net but stuck it just wide of the left hand post. A minute later, County were ahead. Ross Draper’s weighted pass into the penalty area threatened to release Don Cowie, but the slightest contact from Daniel Jefferies had the midfielder crashing to earth.

Mckay, claiming his 14th goal of the season, only just squeezed the penalty through the diving grasp of goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon.

Partick rallied and enjoyed sustained pressure and a clutch of half-chances.

But the hosts had close calls, too, with Stewart explosive run from deep in his own half halted illegally by the leg of Tam Scobbie, 22 yards out. Josh Mullin’s deflected free-kick smacked off the top of the bar for a corner.

But County’s clincher came with 11 minutes left. Mullin raced forward on the counter-attack and slipped the ball to Stewart at the edge of the area.

The big striker dragged the ball onto his left foot and swept a lovely shot into the corner of the net from just inside the area.

County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell praised his team’s solidity and Partick’s adventurous play, but defended Cowie.

Kettlewell said: “It certainly looked like contact to me.”