STEWART PICKS HIS SPOT NICELY
ROSS STEWART’S penalty maintained Ross County’s unbeaten start to the season in an enthralling encounter with Kilmarnock in Dingwall last night.
The Highlanders dominated the first half and looked the real deal as they moved the ball about superbly.
Ross Draper’s early headed opener was the reward for their efforts, but Killie stormed back with replies from Alan Power and Chris Burke within seven secondhalf minutes.
Killie sensed they were on the cusp of their first win of the season after turning the game on its head, only for Stewart’s cool penalty to earn County a share of the points 11 minutes from the end after Burke had handled a Michael Gardyne effort.
They say that you should never change a winning team, but the hosts made four changes from the side who delivered two encouraging opening victories over Motherwell and Hamilton Accies.
In came Draper as the midfield lynchpin, with Josh Mullin, Gardyne and Regan Charles-Cook, a summer signing from Gillingham, earning starts for Stuart Kettlewell’s side. Jordan Tillson, Harry Paton, Billy Mckay and Lee Erwin dropped to the bench.
Alex Dyer’s Killie, chasing that first win of the seaason but full of confidence after holding Celtic at home on Sunday, made one enforced change as Mitch Pinnock replaced Rory McKenzie, injured against the champions.
The Staggies started the evening with pace and purpose, creating a glorious chance inside the first minute.
From a short free-kick, Gardyne cut inside from the left and swirled the ball into the middle where Draper tried, but failed to volley past Danny Rogers at close range, finding the away goalkeeper’s arms.
A second home chance came inside three minutes but, from striker Stewart’s cutback, CharlesCook fired his 15-yard attempt over the bar.
Kilmarnock captain Calum Waters tried to test home keeper Ross Laidlaw with a low 20-yard free-kick that was easily saved, but the visitors would fall behind after 15 minutes.
Given their reputation for shrewd defending, it was a shocker to lose for Dyer’s side.
Mullin played a short corner from the left to Gardyne and took a return pass. His instant delivery arced across the penalty area and found the imposing figure of Draper rising to angle a firm header into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
County’s remarkable start to the campaign was gathering pace.
Killie chances were scarce. After 23 minutes, there were appeals for a penalty — although not entirely convincing — as young County left-back Josh Reid challenged veteran Burke in the home box.
The Ayrshire side tried to pass their way back into the game and find some rhythm, but County saw Draper, again, threaten after 27 minutes only to shoot over after more neat build-up play from the slick Highlanders.
Seven minutes before the break, County had one more decent opportunity to extend the lead with Gardyne’s well-delivered cross finding fellow wide man Mullin heading off target.
Killie had to produce better after the break and they were straight into an assault on the home side as the second half opened.
They pinned County back and appealed for a dubious handball in the home penalty area as a Kirk Broadfoot header was blocked in a crowded space.
The momentum carried them towards their hosts, with Pinnock also having an attempt at goal blocked.
The home defence cracked just before the hour mark.
Chris Millen made ground on the right and threaded an excellent ball through for Power to find space and drill the leveller low past Laidlaw from the middle of the penalty area.
Draper tried to drive County back on to the attack with a powerful run through the middle, but the Staggies were soon to fall behind after 66 minutes.
This time, it was Power’s supply that sent Burke racing into space on the right-hand side of the box and the former Rangers star’s smashed finish past Laidlaw was pretty much unstoppable.
Nicke Kabamba, so menacing with his presence and strength against Celtic, had been quiet so far but smacked a header against a home defender in a good position from Brandon Haunstrup’s cross.
County stormed back to level after 79 minutes when Burke, under pressure, was adjudged to have handled in the away penalty box.
Stewart stepped up with nerves of steel to fire high past Rogers to secure a point.