Tait stunner perfect tonic for Buddies as they grind out result
Tait (50)
This was only Stephen Robinson’s sixth win in 20 games as St Mirren’s manager but it felt like a turning point of sorts as a gritty, if rarely pretty, performance from his side sent the Paisley public home happy.
After a disappointingly fruitless Premier Sports Cup campaign and league losses against Motherwell and Aberdeen, the Buddies finally claimed a positive result when it mattered.
The result leaves the men from Dingwall rooted to the bottom of the table without a point and, while only a fool would bet on them remaining there, it’s an uncomfortable position for them.
County skipper Jack Baldwin made it a very long afternoon for himself when he picked up a yellow card after only eight minutes for hauling down home midfielder Greg Kiltie.
Saints’ top scorer Jonah Ayunga came desperately close to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes later when he turned his marker before unleashing an angled drive which beat Ross Laidlaw but came back off his right-hand post.
The Highlanders weren’t bringing much to the party but it required a goal-saving block from Charles Dunne to prevent Dominic Samuel from giving them a 34th minute lead following clever build-up play from Owura Edwards-Owura.
The first half could best be summed up, though, by the incident seven minutes from the break when Josh Sims’ mazy run and through ball teed up Edwards-Owura, who hit himself in the face with his first-time shot.
Saints squandered an opportunity in more traditional fashion on the stroke of half-time when Keanu Baccus, sent clear by Ryan Strain, saw his rising drive clear the crossbar.
County manager Malky Mackay made two changes to his side following their insipid display in the opening 45 minutes but the switch failed to pay off as they found themselves behind just five minutes after the restart.
There had been only two goalless draws in the clubs’ previous 46 meetings and an unlikely hero ensured that the fans would have something to celebrate.
Baccus started the move with a surging run into the penalty area but, after he and Ayunga had efforts blocked and Curtis Main failed to get the ball under control, it fell to Richard Tait 20 yards out.
With the box too crowded to go for power, the full-back elected to curl a shot behind the unsighted Laidlaw and inside the far post. It was the 32-year-old’s first goal since October, 2020.
County were frustratingly close to drawing level in the 62nd minute when Callum Johnson’s cross was met by Edwards-Ohura at the back stick but his header struck the outside of the post.
At the other end Laidlaw had to be alert, sprinting from his line to reach the ball before Eamonn Brophy could pull the trigger after the substitute had charged down a Baldwin clearance.
County, so impressive in those opening defeats by Hearts and Celtic, were far from at their best here and, although Trevor Carson made a fine one-handed save from Kazeem Olaigbe two minutes from time, a draw would have flattered the Staggies.
Saints have now lost just one of their last nine meetings with yesterday’s opponents, having won six of them; at least County don’t have to play them every week.
They brought a tiny travelling support to Renfrewshire yesterday and it would be no great surprise if their numbers dwindle even further when they have to return to the SMiSA Stadium on February 18 next year.