Live: Charles-Cook puts Ross County in a commanding position against Stirling Albion in the Betfred Cup
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Full time: Ross County 3–0 Stirling Albion
89' Woodwork again for County
Wright, not long on the park, takes a chipped ball over the top of the defence under control beautifully, and lifts it over Binnie only to see the ball crash back off the bar.
84' Reid ventures forward again, this time forcing a good save out of Binnie.
82' Final changes of the afternoon as Heaver and Ryan come on for Stirling, replacing Byrne and Leitch.
81' Triple change for the hosts as Kettlewell gives the youngsters on his bench some experience – Wright, Williamson and Mackinnon come on for Charles-Cook, Iacovitti and Stewart.
77' Hylton gets through one-on-one, and though Binnie loses his footing slightly he still manages to prevent the County man making it 4–0.
76' Change for Stirling, Magee comes on for Wilson.
74' Change for the hosts as Callum Morris returns from injury, replacing Donaldson.
73' Charles-Cook nearly turns provider again, this time crossing for Mckay who is off-balance and can only head over.
72' Charles-Cook puts daylight between the sides
Charles-Cook, who very nearly picked up an assist moments ago, finds the net himself.
He cuts in from the right flanks and curls the ball low into the bottom corner – it was difficult for Binnie to see through a crowd of bodies, but a great finish nonetheless.
70' Hylton is denied a first County goal from close range after linking up with Charles-Cook, with Binnie making the save with his feet.
67' Double change for Stirling as Creaney and Docherty come off for Mackin and Moore.
66' Woodwork denies Reid
Reid links up really well with Hylton, playing a one-two to charge into the box, and he gets a shot away only to be denied by the post.
65' Mckay goes close after Stewart does well coming deep to release the Northern Irishman.
He is probably a tad wider than he would have liked to be, but he gets a shot away from the left and the ball is only inches wide of the mark.
57' Hylton, filling in at left back briefly, commits himself and the ball gets played in behind him for McGeachie.
The Stirling full back puts in a good cross towards Wilson, but the Albion player's header is well wide.
50' Stewart doubles County's advantage
Ross Stewart gets on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, after he was taken down by Jordan McGregor.
The forward stepped up, and though Cameron Binnie guessed the right way and got a solid hand to it he could not keep the ball out.
46' The second half is under way!
Half time thoughts
There has not been much goalmouth action to write home about, but County have the lead.
Shaw going off will undoubtedly be a blow, as he has looked like a totally different player in recent weeks as the goals have started flowing.
County are trying to mix their play up, going wide at times but also trying to play through the lines in the middle of the park, which I like, but they need to move the ball quicker to have a bigger impact going forward.
Iain Vigurs and Josh Reid both looked like they had mistakes in them early on as Stirling pressed high, but you have to believe the part-timers will not be able to sustain that for a full 90 minutes – especially when chasing the game – so things could well become easier for County in the second half.
Half time: Ross County 1–0 Stirling Albion
41' Injury blow for County
The man who the Staggies have been relying on, Oli Shaw, pulls up with what looks like a groin issue and has to come off.
Kettlewell has an experienced option on the bench to replace him though, as Billy Mckay makes his way on to the pitch.
27' Lovely turn from Roberts sends Reid the wrong way in the centre circle, and he then plays a ball through for McGeachie.
Charles-Cook gets back to cover, but the ball does eventually find it's way into the middle where Byrne heads it – only to see Laidlaw make a simple save.
22' Shaw with another chance as he takes the ball in well, but he is closed down quickly this time and his shot is deflected behind for a corner.
From the deal ball, Stewart rises highest to meet Charles-Cook's ball in, but his header goes over the bar.
20' Shaw puts County ahead
Oli Shaw's confidence must be sky-high, because that is his fourth goal in as many games.
Vigurs played a high ball forward into the box looking for Ross Stewart, who managed to knock the ball down for his strike partner.
Shaw had plenty of time to pick his spot, and powered the ball past Binnie and into the bottom corner.
13' There has been some decent range passing from County, but they have never managed to put Albion under siege yet.
They certainly have the quality to switch the ball quickly, or play through the lines, but they need a period of sustained pressure to get closer to goal.
9' First proper shot at goal of the game is Stirling's, as Docherty sees his effort deflected behind for a corner that comes to nothing.
We have kick off in Dingwall!
25 minutes to kick off
Stuart Kettlewell makes three changes to the side that started against Elgin City midweek.
Carl Tremarco misses out through injury with Josh Reid coming in at left back as expected, while Iain Vigurs, Jordan Tillson and Ross Stewart also start in place of Stephen Kelly, Harry Paton and Billy Mckay.
Ross County: Laidlaw, Shaw, Vigurs, Grivosti, Hylton, Iacovitti, Charles-Cook, Tillson, Donaldson, Stewart, Reid.
Substitutes: Munro, Morris, Mckay, Kelly, Lakin, Paton, Wright, Williamson, Mackinnon.
Stirling Albion: Binnie, McGeachie, Banner, El-Zubaidi, McGregor, Docherty, Roberts, Wilson, Byrne, Leitch, Creaney.
Substitutes: Law, Magee, Thomson, Moore, Mackin, Heaver, Ryan.
