Alarm bells ringing for Staggies

Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson admits they face a major test of character following their 4-0 defeat to Queen of the South.

The Ladbrokes Championship leaders suffered a second consecutive defeat and Ferguson felt alarm bells were ringing before their trip to Dumfries.

Josh Mullin was sent off for the Staggies but they were three goals down by that stage as Stephen Dobbie’s brace and strikes from Michael Doyle and on-loan Motherwell defender Barry Maguire – pictured – piled the misery on the visitors.

Ferguson said: “We were disjointed and disorganised and there were bits that have not really been our identity.

Ayr failed to capitalise and remain three points behind as they went five games without a victory after a 1-0 defeat at Inverness thanks to Jordan White’s goal.

Picture: SNS.