County dig deep to exorcise midweek meltdown as hero Edwards nicks win

ROSS COUNTY purged the memory of their midweek meltdown to Motherwell with a response that spoke volumes for their character.

Malky Mackay’s side survived being swamped early by a dominant Livingston side that was intent on preying on any insecurities at play.

If the hosts had found a killer touch, then another harrowing experience could have further beset Mackay’s latest Dingwall rebuild. Yet the visitors gradually emerged from their shell thanks to several fine Ross Laidlaw saves and pinched a winner 17 minutes from time from Owura Edwards.

A demonstration in doggedly defending a lead, by a group that conceded five at home on Tuesday night, led County to a second league win of the campaign and out of the bottom two.

‘I’m delighted for the players, especially after Tuesday when their character was at times questioned,’ said Mackay.

‘I have a group here that I know are as good as anything in our section of the Premiership.

‘We can compete with anyone and we showed that. I really enjoyed the nature of the win.

‘In the first half we hung in there and at half-time tweaked a couple of things. We were then able to show that grit and determination that I knew was needed. I felt those little chances would come — and one or two did.’

Plenty chances came Livingston’s way but they were spurned. In the opening 45 minutes alone, none of their 11 attempts at goal actually forced Laidlaw into action.

Dylan Bahamboula and Joel Nouble on either flank gave the County defence nightmares but the final ball or killer touch in the box was missing.

Kurtis Guthrie missed wide from six yards when presented with a gift by Cristian Montano.

Just before the break, Nouble’s delightful dancing feet crafted a glaring opening for himself.

He should have squared the ball to the pick of his penalty box targets but fired over the bar.

Unease began to grow in the home stands when Laidlaw batted away the best of Livingston’s second-half opportunities.

His right leg denied Scott Pittman, then Ayo Obileye was left aghast at a point-blank miscue while unmarked meeting a Sean Kelly corner. Somehow Laidlaw conjured a save to deny the big defender.

‘Ross has been absolutely terrific for us,’ said Mackay. ‘I’m going back to since January when he got back into the team. In the second half of last season, he was magnificent and has been excellent in this first part of this season.

‘I know we’re always looking for goalkeepers in this country — we have a terrific big Scot that’s up in the Highlands who is consistently playing well in the Premiership.’

Four minutes later, Obileye’s agony deepened. Sean Kelly appeared to lose his bearings trying to cope with a long ball.

His errant header was instantly pounced upon by the impressive Jordy Hiwula, a second-half substitute, who wasted no time ranging in on goal.

Hiwula’s right-foot drive came off the underside of the crossbar and Edwards homed in for the rebound. The Bristol City loanee steered a header past the scrambling Shamal George.

Livingston managed David Martindale complained: ‘One moment of schoolboy defending, that’s why we lose.

‘We dominated large spells of the game. Shots, corners, everything. But if you don’t defend properly, you’re not going to win.

‘It’s not good enough. Possession is a stat, a nice stat but it doesn’t win you games. And if don’t take your chances at the other end, it’s not a great combination for picking points up.

‘Kurtis should score. I stress to the players so much that you’ve got to hit the target. If you don’t do that, you end up with nothing.

‘I could say Ross County defended their 18-yard box well but they actually defended their six-yard box well!

‘We’ve got to have a long, hard look at ourselves. Whatever way you sugar-coat it, you’ve thrown away points.’

It was the third recent defeat that has angered Martindale, who believes his side should be sitting in a top-six perch. He reckons the very worst they should have fared from losses to Motherwell, last week at St Mirren and now Ross County was a trio of draws.

‘We should be sitting with at least three extra points,’ he insisted. ‘So I need to look at what I’m doing or change what I’m doing because it’s not working.

‘Ross County stole the game from us. It’s hugely disappointing. I’m struggling to find the positives.’