Denying Dobbie half the battle for County

ROSS COUNTY co-manager Stuart Kettlewell admitted his side were lucky to claim a point after this dull draw saw them knocked off top spot by Highland rivals Inverness.

It was the Doonhamers who were left ruing a string of missed opportunities to force victory and Kettlewell confessed: ‘We didn’t deserve to win the game and, although we nullified a very good attacking side, I don’t think we ever had a sniff at goal.

‘We expect more from the group in terms of creating chances. It wasn’t much of a but it’s a difficult place to come and we’ve left with a point, so we will take that. We never reached the standards we’ve set — it was a lethargic performance.’

Queens talisman Stephen Dobbie made his 200th appearance for the club and was at the heart of everything.

The 35-year-old came closest to the breakthrough on 40 minutes when Lyndon Dykes found Gary Harkins to set up Dobbie, whose drive crashed off the crossbar and bounced to safety.

County were virtually anonymous as an attacking threat, though they might have stolen the points when a Michael Gardyne header landed on the roof of the net.

Despite having to settle for a point, home manager Gary Naysmith said: ‘If anyone deserved the three points, it was us but a draw isn’t bad.

‘Ross County possess the most complete squad in the league, so it shows how prepared we are because I can’t remember them having a clear chance.’