Cruel blow but title within grasp
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AN agonising injury time equaliser from a dubious penalty denied Ross County the victory the side had looked like grinding out in their home encounter against Raith Rovers.
The Fifers, second from bottom at the business end of the season, will have gone home the happier of the two sides – particularly as the only club beneath them, Queen of the South, picked up a potentially crucial three points against Ayr.
The County fans went home contemplating what might have been – despite their favourites ending the day 15 points clear and the possibility at least of clinching the title as early as next week.
Paul Lawson’s 85-minute strike sparked rapturous celebrations both on and off the pitch as it looked very much as though it would be the decisive factor.
But it was cancelled out almost five minutes into injury time after the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors for reasons not entirely clear to the vast majority of the 3,300-plus watching. Pat Clarke made no mistake and the spoils were shared.
Both keepers - Fraser and McGurn - pulled off a couple of excellent saves over the course of the game.
The Dingwall men had been slow out of the blocks in the first half with the visitors able to ask a few questions. Man-of-the-match Scott Boyd put in another solid shift though, that familiar ginger head clearing long ball danger time and time again.
The Staggies were better in the second period and looked good value for the three points. Their lengthy unbeaten run now stretches to 28 games.
Ross County: Fraser, Miller, Morrison, Boyd, Munro, Lawson, Gardyne (Craig 62), Kettlewell, Morrow (Vigurs 72), Brittain, Quinn (Corcoran 78). Subs not used: Malin (GK), Flynn.
Raith Rovers: McGurn, Thomson, Dyer, Ellis, Hill (Williamson 70), Murray, Allan Walker, Davidson, Casalinuovo (Jamie Walker 82), Clarke, Hamill. Subs not used: Laidlaw (GK), Stewart, McBride.
Referee: Steven McLean.
Attendance: 3,379.
Get a full match report and the latest from the camp in next week’s Ross-shire Journal.
