Lawson earns point for Staggies
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Paul Lawson scored for Ross County in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Partick Thistle.
ROSS County are one place - and one point – ahead of relegation play-off rivals Cowdenbeath after their 1-1 Irn Bru Division One draw with Partick Thistle on Saturday.
The Firhill pitch was a real test for the players, but Paul Lawson’s fabulous free-kick cancelled out an early penalty from Kris Doolan.
Partick fans were still reeling after Friday’s departure of boss Ian McCall for “personal and professional reasons”. Assistant Jackie McNamara took over the head coach role as he sets his sights on taking the top job.
For County, six days after winning the Alba Challenge Cup, this was all about getting a result which keeps them ahead of Cowden.
The Staggies will move four points clear of Jimmy Nicholl’s Fifers on Tuesday night – if they can win away to Queen of the South in their game in hand.
On Saturday, the Dingwall side got off to a horror start when referee Brian Colvin awarded a penalty on just four minutes after the ball struck Steven Craig on the arm.
Doolan fired the ball past McGovern to put the Jags in control,
However, County didn’t panic and played their way back into the match, as best they could on the tricky surface.
Craig almost drew County level when he forced a fine diving save from goalkeeper Scott Fox after accepting a quick throw-in from Gary Miller.
Michael Gardyne and Andy Barrowman both went close for County before they did grab the leveller.
Barrowman won a free-kick at the edge of the box when he was tripped by Alan Archibald.
Up stepped stand-in skipper Lawson and he crashed a terrific shot past Fox high into the net to make it 1-1 at the break.
After some choice words from McNamara, Thistle were the better side in the second half, with Doolan twice coming close to winning it.
On 75 minutes, his shot was blocked by McGovern and then, in the dying moments, Scott Boyd got back in time to clear his chipped shot off the goal-line.
It was a gusty, battling performance at a tough venue for County and they will hope to win at Palmerston on Tuesday to take a major step towards retaining their Division One status.
Partick Thistle: Fox, Kinniburgh, Boyle, Campbell, Balatoni, Archibald, Cairney, Rowson, Doolan, Erskine, Grehan (Fraser 80). Subs not used: Scully (GK), McGrotty, McGeough, Stewart.
Ross County: McGovern, Miller, Boyd, Flynn, Fitzpatrick, Craig (Wood 65), Kettlewell, Lawson, Vigurs (Marr 46), Barrowman, Gardyne. Subs not used:
McCarthy (GK), Morrison, Smith.
Referee: Brian Colvin.
Attenance: 1,714.
