Howler costs County points
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Michael McGovern, whose error led to the Dundee winner at Victoria Park on Saturday.
A MISTAKE by Ross County keeper Michael McGovern saw Dundee steal a 1-0 Irn Bru Division One victory at Dingwall on Saturday.
He failed to control a simple back pass and Leighton McIntosh cashed in to sink the Staggies.
This defeat allowed relegation play-off rivals Cowdenbeath to draw level on points with the Dingwall side, although goal difference keeps Jimmy Calderwood’s team just ahead of the Fifers.
County, still reeling from the floodlight failure at Dumfries last Tuesday which saw their game against Queen of the South abandoned, were looking for a vital point - or three - in this clash at Victoria Park.
They were without captain Richard Brittain through suspension, while Paul Lawson was out with an ankle injury. Stuart Kettlewell was handed the armband.
Chances were few and far between in the early stages, but Steven Milne had an early attempt straight at keeper Rab Douglas after being sent clear by Michael Gardyne.
On 22 minutes, Andy Barrowman put pressure on the Dundee defence when Iain Vigurs sent in a cross, but Douglas beat him to the ball.
A few moments later, Barrowman was again denied by Douglas with another header after Vigurs swept the ball in from the right.
Dundee then came close when Leighton McIntosh flashed a shot past the right post after he was teed up by Craig Forsyth at the end of a swift attack.
The pressure continued from the visitors and Gary Harkins’ deflected drive whizzed wide.
County had the final opportunity of the first half when Vigurs flighted in a free-kick, but it was delivered too deep for Scott Boyd to make a connection at the back post.
Early in the second half, Harkins fired a free-kick over from 30 yards and then Kettlewell’s overhead kick flashed over the crossbar.
County kept the pressure up and Milne’s 18-yard shot smashed off woodwork as they probed for the opener.
On 63 minutes, Vigurs corner from the right passed through the box without anyone getting on the end of it.
Then that howler cost County when Boyd’s back pass to McGovern was not dealt with as McIntosh stole the ball from him and netted with a simple finish.
The goal was so similar to the one Barrowman scored earlier this month in the Alba Challenge Cup final win against Queen of the South.
The Dingwall side almost responded within a minute when Milne went for goal, but Craig McKeown got back in time to clear the ball off the goal-line.
County piled on the pressure and Marc Fitzpatrick just missed the ball as he went to connect with a cross from Steven Craig.
Barrowman then tried to steer home a drive from Craig, but the ball finished past the left post.
The hosts were the better team in the latter stages, but Dundee held on to get the victory to ensure their safety in the First Division.
For County, their battle to stay alive at his level moves to their latest crack at Queen of the South on Tuesday, with the neutral venue of Stirling most likely to be confirmed.
Ross County: McGovern, Miller, Fitzpatrick (Morrison 84), Kettlewell, Boyd, Flynn, Gardyne, Craig (Smith 79), Barrowman, Vigurs, Milne (Wood 75). Subs not used: McCarthy (GK), Marr.
Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, O’Donnell, McKeown, Weston, Riley, Harkins, McIntosh (Rennie 88), Benedictus, Forsyth. Subs not used: Gibson (GK), Bartlett, Webster, Tulleth.
Referee: Anthony Law.
Attendance: 3,205.
