Flynn seals Staggies' safety
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Johnny Flynn hit the last-gasp winner which keeps County in the First Division.
JOHNNY Flynn fired a stoppage time winner as Ross County beat Falkirk 1-0 on Saturday to retain their place in Irn Bru Division One.
In a stunning finish, the big Northern Ireland defender pounced to bury a header past home keeper Robert Olejnik to ensure they avoid that relegation play-off spot, with Cowdenbeath’s win against Stirling not enough for the Fifers, who will now face one of the Second Division high-fliers for the right to be a Division One club next term.
The gap ahead of Saturday’s clash between the clubs in Dingwall is three points but County are 21 goals better off than the Blue Brazil, so it’s safe to say this win has kept them in the First Division. Only an 11-goal win for Cowdenbeath in Dingwall this weekend would prevent it.
Barring a miracle, Falkirk were all but out of the championship chase before kick-off, with Dunfermline ultimately wrapping up the title with their win at Greenock Morton.
During the warm-up at a sunny but blustery Falkirk, there were no signs of County nerves. Boss Jimmy Calderwood spoke to each player individually on the pitch, encouraging them for what he hoped would be the final push over the finish line.
There was just one change to the team which saw off Queens last Tuesday, with Paul Lawson back from injury replacing Paul Di Giacomo, who dropped to the bench.
County began well and won four corners in as many minutes, with Iain Vigurs’ deliveries testing the Bairns defence.
Falkirk had the first shot on target when Kieran Duffie launched a drive fully 40 yards, but goalkeeper Michael McGovern rose to ensure it didn’t dip under the crossbar.
McGovern had to be alert again on 19 minutes when he dashed out to beat Ryan Flynn to the ball when the forward raced on to a pass from Mark Miller.
At the other end, Scott Morrison’s cross from the left side was headed over the top by Andy Barrowman, who was under pressure from three home defenders.
Tam McManus almost brought the supporters to their feet when his overhead kick on 25 minutes flashed over the top after the cut-back into the box by Miller.
County captain Richard Brittain was next to have a crack, but his drive flew a foot or so over the crossbar from 30 yards.
An impressive diving save from Bairns keeper Olejnik kept the scoresheet blank on 35 minutes when he touched wide a shot from Michael Gardyne after the County midfielder turned in the box and connected with the loose ball.
Falkirk almost edged on front just on 42 minutes when McManus headed Miller’s corner on target, but McGovern clutched it gratefully.
On the stroke of half-time, Gardyne missed a decent chance he was teed up by Kettlewell, but drove his 12-yard effort wide of the left post.
With Dunfermline going 2-0 ahead at Morton early in the second half, the Falkirk fans knew their very faint title hopes were ended, but there was still much at stake for the Staggies.
On 52 minutes, Barrowman headed into the side-netting from a deep corner from Brittain.
The wind was making this game a real scrappy battle. From a free-kick, though on 67 minutes, Brittain tested Olejnik from 25 yards.
In another rare attack second half, Flynn headed wide from another Vigurs corner on 78 minutes.
A few moments later, sub Steven Milne almost snatched a goal for County when he met a cut back from Kettlewell, but the ball spun just wide.
Then news filtered through that Cowdenbeath had grabbed a 1-0 lead late on against Stirling, bringing them level on points with County, but well behind them on goal difference.
Then, two minutes into stoppage time, Flynn crashed home a header from a delivery from the right side to clinch the vital three points.
Falkirk: Olejnik, Duffie, Twaddle, McLean (Mitchell 82), Scobbie, Murdoch (Finnegan 54), Stewart, Miller, McManus, Flynn (Alston 72), Higginbotham. Subs not used: Barclay (GK), Kingsley.
Ross County: McGovern, Miller, Morrison, Lawson (Milne 72), Boyd, Flynn, Gardyne, Kettlewell, Barrowman, Brittain, Vigurs. Subs not used: McCarthy, Di Giacomo, Fitzpatrick, Marr.
Referee: Charlie Richmond.
Attendance: 4,143..
