Supersub Mullin earns silverware for Staggies
They were within touching distance of history, but Connah’s Quay Nomads’ dream crumbled in the face of a late Ross County revival.
Substitute Josh Mullin’s brilliant double earned his side the Irn-Bru Cup and denied the Deesiders the chance to become the first Welsh team to lift a Scottish trophy.
Jamie Lindsay’s third goal then put the outcome beyond doubt in the closing moments, leaving the distraught part-timers crumpled in agony and exhaustion.
It would hardly have soothed the spirits to know they might well have been 3-0 up by the break at the Caledonian Stadium, such was their superiority in the first half.
Instead, Mullin-inspired County roared back in the final 15 minutes. Mullin, who has won successive promotions with Albion Rovers and Livingston, insisted the partying would be brief before thoughts returned to the Championship title campaign.
“We will celebrate tonight, enjoy it tonight and they get our focus back on the league,” the 26 year-old said. “It will be straight back to business because the league is our main thing now.
“There are still a few games to go, the run-in will be tough and we play Dundee United in the few weeks’ time. People have said the pressure is on us, but they are the ones trying to catch us.” The team from North Wales’ old steel and shipbuilding heartland, managed by Inverness-born Andy Morrison, made the bleak 400-mile return trip home but could hold their heads high.
Their opener arrived in the 21st minute.
Keith Watson misjudged a low ball as he tried a diving header and Bakare, collecting neatly and driving on, unleashed an unstoppable left-foot strike high into the County net from 20 yards.
The equaliser only came with 15 minutes left. Captain Marcus Fraser threaded a pass into the right side of the box and Mullin swept a low shot between the keeper’s legs. And four minutes later, the game was turned on its head by Mullin’s clinical second.
More probing play saw Kenny van der Weg fed on the left. The Dutchman’s pass was laid back by Stewart and, from just inside the box, Mullin hammered in the County second.
Jamie Lindsay put the match beyond doubt with four minutes left. A short corner went to Gardyne who picked out Lindsay for a thumping finish just inside the box.
Beaten manager Morrison said: “I’ve told the players to be proud of what they achieved getting here.”