DEREK Adams knows Ross County's mean away form will be tested to the hilt this weekend at Livingston.
The Almondvale outfit have gone a formidable 30 games unbeaten on home turf dating back to a Third Division defeat to Forfar in April 2010.
County's away form has been almost as strong as home performance this campaign so far, but Adams is wary of the Lions' den at Livvy on Saturday.
The County boss said, "Livingston have done particularly well at home, with a good record stretching back 18 months.
"So it will be a difficult game from that point of view but we go there in confident mood.
"We've won seven games in a row in the league and we'd like to continue that form."
The Staggies' manager makes no apology for sticking rigidly to the winning formula that has created County's run of 11 games unbeaten in the league.
County haven't lost in the First Division since August 13 at Hamilton.
The same starting 11 has been selected for the past four matches, with the five-man goalkeeping and defensive unit intact for 13 games now.
Adams stressed, "When you are going well and the players are performing week-on-week, it's important you have that consistency in selection.
"We do have that at the moment and the players are revelling in the challenge.
"For those not chosen, they just have to wait their time. For one reason or another, loss of form, injury or suspension they are not in the team just now.
"But they are equally as good players as the ones in the team.
"We see that with the likes of Rocco Quinn coming out through injury and Stuart Kettlewell coming in and taking his chance.
"Everybody has a role to play."
Michael Gardyne emerged as club top scorer with six goals after his hat-trick against Albion Rovers.
Adams isn't surprised that his flair player is adding a sharpened edge to his attacking guile.
The manager stressed, "Michael plays that way week-in, week-out - he's a quality player who creates chances for others.
"If he can add goals to his game, it will help him and help us. He's doing a very good job for us."
Striker Sam Morrow remains County's only injury absentee, while new signing Alex Cooper, the son of past manager Neale, will again challenge for a place on the bench.
Adams, meanwhile, is happy to have drawn another Scottish Cup tie at Victoria Park.
The County boss stressed, "We're delighted the match will be at home.
"We know Stenhousemuir played Falkirk earlier in the season and gave a good account in a 3-1 defeat.
"They have experienced players, but it's a home tie and that's what we wanted.
"It's an exciting round for a lot of teams and we are keen to progress and, hopefully, get a really good tie if we do."
PAUL Lawson believes County could be in for the toughest test of the league campaign so far at Livingston.
The scorer of a spectacular strike against Albion Rovers last weekend would settle for the scrappiest of wins in the Central Belt.
Lawson said, "I feel this will be one of the toughest tests so far.
"Livingston are a quality side who have come up two divisions and carry that confidence with them.
"They are third in the table and nine points behind us but they have a particularly good home record.
"They also came up here and gave us a hard game in the draw earlier in the season.
"We're on a nice run and we are hoping to keep that going, but we're under no illusions as to how difficult it will be."
Victory, if obtained, would be highly-significant for County.
Lawson added, "Every win can be like a six-pointer in this league because of how tight it is.
"That's why it is so important just to focus on the next game.
"Livingston will be keen to cut the gap on us, while we know a win would put us 12-points clear of them.
"It's also very important to pick up points on the road.
"We've come through a lot of tough away games but have still managed to pick up a lot of points, which is pleasing.
"We just want to go down there and keep it going."
The midfielder's thunderbolt finish against Rovers was special, but somewhat eclipsed by good friend Michael Gardyne's hat-trick.
Lawson, rarely one to score scrappily or with a tap-in, added, "It seems these type of goals are becoming a bit of a trademark.
"Obviously, it's not a bad habit to have but I'd like to score more.
"I was pleased with last week's goal - I caught it very sweetly - and it was just typical of the wee man to outshine me!"
