The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Real spot of misfortune for Staggies
ST ROSS 1
MIRREN COUNTY 0
Ross County will justly feel they are due a rub of the green in the coming weeks after a wronglyawarded penalty left them empty-handed against St Mirren.
County have found themselves on the receiving end of opposition spot-kicks all too often this season, with nine prior to the trip to Paisley.
But this was the softest of them all as Buddies substitute Collin Quaner appeared to initiate contact from County defender Leo Hjelde in the 83rd minute. It paved the way for Jamie McGrath, pictured above, to net the game’s decisive goal from 12 yards.
County were left furious, with manager John Hughes adamant referee Greg Aitken was conned by Quaner. These decisions can have repercussions and, although the Staggies remain a point above the relegation zone, they will hope this loss does not prove to be costly in their dogfight.
There had been very little to separate the sides in a match that looked destined for a draw, with County looking likelier to find a breakthrough in the second half after the hosts had shaded the first. But the manner of the winning goal made the defeat even harder to take for County.
The Staggies made two defensive changes from the side that had defeated Celtic the previous weekend, with Callum Morris out with a hamstring injury and Alex Iacovitti dropping to the bench, making way for Hjelde and stand-in skipper Keith Watson.
St Mirren were first to threaten on four minutes when Jamie McGrath slipped in Dylan Connolly but the winger did not make a clean connection and blasted the effort well over.
County created a chance in 20 minutes when Blair Spittal’s corner was nodded wide by Jordan White.
The hosts upped their threat and became the dominant side in the first half, with Connolly unable to keep a shot on the turn down after being picked out following a throw-in, while a low McGrath effort from distance comfortably gathered by Ross Laidlaw.
County continued to look for a way through, with Spittal working a short freekick to Gardyne, whose cross could not be met with a strong enough connection by Tony Andreu at the near post.
In 28 minutes the Staggies had Laidlaw to thank for keeping them level when Kyle McAllister’s free-kick was bulleted towards goal by the head of Conor McCarthy, but the County goalkeeper produced an excellent reflex save.
St Mirren appealed for a penalty seven minutes before the interval, claiming Keith Watson had caught Joe Shaughnessy with an elbow when contesting a cross ball, with the Buddies skipper requiring treatment for a head knock.
Hughes made a triple half-time substitution as he changed to a 3-5-2 system. Gardyne, Andreu and Carl Tremarco were withdrawn, with Iacovitti, Coll Donaldson and Oli Shaw brought on. The tactical switch appeared to inject a fresh spark into County and in 53 minutes they were inches away from making a breakthrough.
The crossbar denied them twice in a matter of seconds, with White seeing his header from a Jason Naismith delivery tipped on to the woodwork by Jak Alnwick. The ball was only partially cleared by the Buddies defence, with Stephen Kelly’s follow up effort also coming back off the bar.
Chances were few and far between in the second half, but County came close again in 76 minutes when Iacovitti turned Harry Paton’s corner goalwards, with Buddies midfielder Cammy MacPherson clearing it off the line.
St Mirren had barely threatened in the second half, but the game’s flashpoint arrived in their favour seven minutes from time. Jon Obika laid the ball off to Quaner who drove at goal before the German bundled himself to the ground as Hjelde went in to try to win the ball.
McGrath made light work of the spot-kick with a cool finish.
County pushed for a late leveller, with Jordan Tillson prodding just wide.
Buddies boss Jim Goodwin said he would be prepared to take action against Quaner if it is found he has dived.