Battling Ross County lose at Kilmarnock
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ROSS County pushed SPL hosts Kilmarnock all the way in Saturday’s pre-season friendly, but didn’t recover from losing two early goals as they lost 2-1.
Kenny Shiels’ Killie, who are chasing another top six spot this season, got off to the best possible start as new signings Gary Harkins and Danny Buijs netted goals within the first five minutes.
Ex-Dundee hitman Harkins set the ball rolling when he cut inside from the left and curled a fantastic shot beyond County goalkeeper Michael Fraser.
Another fine goal followed four minutes later when Liam Kelly found Dutchman Buijs and he chested the ball down and drilled a shot low past Fraser.
County, many folks’ tip to win promotion to the SPL, were floored by this lightning start from the Rugby Park side and needed a response.
Captain Richard Brittain sparked a County attack when he played a terrific cross in for Colin McMenamin, but Ryan O’Leary got back in time to deny the County striker.
Fraser’s heart was in his mouth when he let go of a Harkins free-kick, but the ball bounced off the bar and back into his grasp.
At the interval, both sides made sweeping personnel changes, in fact there were 18 substitutions made overall during the match.
Killie had the best of the play in the second half, but County dug in deep to shut them out.
The Dingwall team gained a glimmer of hope on 78 minutes when Marc Corcoran finished off a fine move by lifting the ball over Kyle Letheren into the net.
Despite the goal, Derek Adams’ troops could not find another to pull level, but the real work starts on Saturday when Third Division Elgin City come calling in round one of the Ramsdens Challenge Cup, the trophy won in April by County in Perth.
*** Former Ross County goalkeeper Michael McGovern will play for one of the Staggies’ Division One rivals next season after sealing a move to Falkirk. The former Dundee United keeper made his debut in the Bairns’ 2-2 friendly draw with Preston North End on Saturday.
