EUROPE HOPE ISN’T OVER BUT FAVOURS ARE NEEDED

Tarnished are the hopes of a historic European football-grabbing season after faltering to a stodgy Motherwell side who shut out County to cling on to all three points.

The European dream isn’t over yet. However the task has been plucked out of the Staggies’ hands and they will now have no rely on Hearts and Celtic to do the business against Well.

The first half was frustratingly passive from a County perspective. The Staggies dominated, but the majority of play was within their own half. There was a huge lack of killer instinct or creativity when trying to attack.

The introduction of Joe Hungbo at half time did change that, and he drove at the Motherwell defence and played several good crosses across the face which were waiting to be turned in.

However the County front line, which ended up having three strikers and Alex Iacovitti bombarding the box, still couldn’t get that ball over the line.

Ultimately, a point from the game was woefully robbed from Mackay’s side as a standard 50/50 to win the ball which was met at first contact by Alex Iacovitti was somehow deemed a penalty by David Munro. Kevin Van Veen threw himself to the deck after minimal contact from the followthrough of Iacovitti’s clearance.

That was not the only dubious decision made by Munro. However that may be one which costs County the chance to play European football for the first time.

It is not over yet, but with two games to go against Rangers and Dundee United it will take a big slice of luck if there is any chance of the supporters digging out the passports for July.