Erwin pounces at the death to dump his old Killie team-mates
Stuart Kettlewell is convinced Lee Erwin is ready to show his Premiership class after flooring old club Kilmarnock in the final seconds.
The 25-year-old ex-Motherwell and Leeds United frontman grabbed his first Ross County goal two minutes into stoppage time after a thrill-a-minute contest in Dingwall.
Erwin, injured for two months after joining County from a troubled spell with Iranians Tractor, is finally up to speed – and grasped back-to-back wins for the resurgent Staggies after springing from the bench.
For the winner, a Killie corner wasn’t dealt with convincingly but was eventually headed away by Dario Del Fabro.
Erwin made a powerful connection from 18 yards that cracked off the bar and bounced on the line before he followed in for the clinching touch from 12 yards.
Delighted County co-manager Kettlewell said: “It was a big moment for Lee. We know his quality and what he can bring to this league and it has just been a case of getting him up to match sharpness.
“It is massive for the club and great, obviously, to piece together two wins in this league because it is so difficult.
“We’ve been muchmaligned on our defensive aspect, but I thought that was rocksolid today.”
It was clear both teams fancied their chances in an action-packed game.
County’s Michael Gardyne went down injured clutching his right ankle and had to be replaced by Billy Mckay after only eight minutes.
Ross Stewart moved out wide right to accommodate the replacement striker.
And it was Stewart’s cross after 26 minutes that might have created the opener with Brian Graham closing in, only for Del Fabro to make a vital clearing touch.
Kilmarnock looked to
strike rapidly on the break and, two minutes later, Chris Burke’s ball forward had Eamonn Brophy wheeling away on the right and leaving home defender Liam Fontaine for dead.
As Brophy strode into the box and went to shoot, Callum Morris slid in for a terrific saving block.
Just before the hour, Brophy threatened to go clean through but was adjudged to have manhandled defender Morris.
There was a close call for Killie after 74 minutes.
Brophy managed to reclaim the ball sharp left in the County penalty area and his instant cross found the head of Connor Johnson, only for the defender’s head to rise over from five yards.
County’s best chance came when a Mullin’s through ball sent substitute Lee Erwin away and he opted to flash in a firsttime attempt that only just swerved wide from 20 yards.
Then, two minutes into stoppage time, came the hosts’ moment of joy.
A corner wasn’t properly cleared by Killie and eventually the substitute reacted with a calm finish on the rebound.
Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio said: “I’m disappointed because we lost the game, right at the end. The right result was a draw.”
(4-4-2) Baxter 6; Foster 6, Morris 7, Fontaine 6, Kelly 6; Mullin 8, Paton 7, Spence 7 (Henderson 74, 3), Gardyne 2 (Mckay 9, 6); Graham 6 (Erwin 65, 5), Stewart 7. Subs – Laidlaw, Fraser, Watson, Spittal
ROSS CO:
KILMARNOCK:
(4-4-2) Branescu 7; O’Donnell 7, Del Fabro 7, Johnson 6, Hamalainen 6; McKenzie 6 (El Makrini 85, 2), Power 7, Dicker 7; Burke 6, Brophy 7, Millar 6 (Thomas 87, 2). Subs – Koprivec, Hendrie, Bruce, Jackson, Wilson.