Ross County's free-kick magician Joseph Hungbo warms the Dingwall support with late leveller against Dundee United in Scottish Premiership
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Ross County (0) 1
Dundee United (0) 1
(Scorers: Ross Co - Hungbo 90+3; Dundee Utd - Appere 50)
Joseph Hungbo may claim to rarely practise free-kicks, but the Englishman's alleged improvisation from dead ball situations is proving an impressive weapon in Ross County’s armoury.
The Watford loanee, springing from the bench yesterday, speared the ball dangerously into the Dundee United box with three minutes of stoppage time played.
It wasn't quite as spectacular or headline-grabbing as his free-kick strike at Dens Park in late October, but was absolutely invaluable all the same.
The ball found the net and, whether or not there was a touch from defender Jack Baldwin, it rewarded a County side that simply refused to give up on a match that might easily have been lost to them.
They were, after all, down to 10 men by then. Hungbo's moment cancelled out Louis Appere’s second half opener for United and, despite Harry Clarke’s controversial red card, the home side's spirit and resilience shone.
With three points again separating them from second bottom Dundee, it is a quality they will need in abundance through December and into the New Year.
There was a distinct lack of goalmouth action in the first 20 minutes, but plenty of fire in the exchanges.
Events at Tannadice back in early October had created a rift between the clubs, with County unhappy at what proved to be unfounded allegations of racism against an away fan.
Thorough investigations cleared the County support, but the Highland club’s officials remained unhappy at United’s rush to judgement post-match.
United manager Tam Courts had walked to the away fans holding up a ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ t-shirt in support of midfielder Jeando Fuchs, absent yesterday.
Pre-match, County boss Malky Mackay had played down the likelihood of the spat affecting on field matters yesterday, but there was definitely plenty of bite in the early challenges.
Florent Hoti finally mustered the afternoon’s first attempt on goal just inside 20 minutes, his powerful 25 yard drive parried and then gathered by home keeper Ash Maynard-Brewer.
The home side had recalled Blair Spittal and David Cancola after Wednesday night’s valuable 1-0 home win over Hibs. Out stepped Ross Callachan and Joseph Hungbo.
For United, Fuchs and suspended Calum Butcher dropped out to be replaced by Florent Hoti and Louis Appere.
County had pulled off a tremendous effort in clearing the pitch of snow and ice that morning, but there wasn’t too much effective football gracing it approaching the half hour.
Then, County’s Harry Paton won a free-kick against Peter Pawlett on the left outside the area.
Spittal curled in a teasing ball and Jack Baldwin’s header smacked off the inside post.
The rebound fell into Harry Paton’s path square on goal but, remarkably, the Canadian’s right foot blast was headed over the bar by Ryan Edwards.
Moments later, a Regan Charles-Cook cross flashed across goal from the right. Charlie Mulgrew turned it for a corner, but it was a close call.
The veteran United defender had an early second half crack at goal from a free-kick which Maynard-Brewer dealt with comfortably.
But United took the lead just after 49 minutes.
County had a couple of attempts at clearing their penalty area, but Jack Baldwin’s dig clear found Ilmari Niskanen prodding the ball to the feet of Louis Appere.
With back to goal, the 22-year-old swivelled sharply and gleefully stuck away only the eighth goal of his United career.
County worked hard to respond and Spittal’s powerful left foot crack at goal from the left side of the box was blocked by Benjamin Siegrist and then cleared by his defence.
Then, after 74 minutes, Jack Baldwin’s header crashed off the top of the bar from Spittal’s corner with the Dingwall side’s luck out again.
County committed another attacker in the shape of Dominic Samuel, but were in trouble soon after when Arsenal loanee Clarke, already booked, was sent off for a clash with Ian Harkes.
Harkes needed treatment but shook off the blow to resume his place in midfield.
The 10 men kept battling and Spittal’s deflected shot almost crossed the goal-line before the keeper salvaged it.
Even the stadium tannoy announcer was fooled and played a spurt of celebratory music before realising the error of his ways.
United were toiling by now with jitters setting in for a spell towards full-time.
A United breakaway saw Harkes race through the middle but fire wastefully over the bar a few minutes from time.
That proved costly as Hungbo mustered an unlikely finish and secured the precious point.
ROSS COUNTY (4-2-3-1) - Maynard-Brewer 6; Clarke 6, Baldwin 7, Iacovitti 6 (Watson 61, 5), Randall 6; Cancola 7, Tillson 6 (D. Samuel 73, 4); Spittal 6, Paton 7, Charles-Cook 6 (Hungbo 60, 5); White 6. Subs: Vokins, Robertson, Watson, Burroughs, Laidlaw.
Booked: Clarke 65, Baldwin 90
Red: Clarke 76
DUNDEE UNITED (4-4-1-1) - Siegrist 6; Freeman 7, Edwards 7, Mulgrew 8, McMann 7; Pawlett 7, Harkes 6, Hoti 6, Niskanen 6 (Sporle 61, 5); Clark 6; Appere 7. Subs: Carson, Chalmers, Glass, Smith, Watson, Meekison.
Booked: Pawlett 66
Referee: Craig Aitken 6
Attendance 3,214
