Ross County knock Motherwell out of Scottish Cup
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Motherwell 1 (Hastie)
Ross County 2 (Graham x2)
Ross County’s desire to win was the difference as they knocked Motherwell out of the Scottish Cup.
It was the Steelmen’s first match of the year after the top flight’s winter break, and County caught them cold by having the better of the early exchanges.
Declan McManus and Lewis Spence both had efforts from distance, but neither man could find the breakthrough.
The Staggies won the physical battle, but as the half drifted on without a breakthrough Motherwell started to look more dangerous.
Their threats were out wide, with Elliott Frear and Gboly Ariyibi both showing their speed, skill and directness to trouble the County defence.
But the first half would end goalless, and it was County who took the game by the scruff of the neck after the interval.
The Staggies took the lead in the 52 minute. Marcus Fraser gave a throw in to McManus, who found a yard of space out wide to put a cross in.
Brian Graham stooped to head it, and from close range it was unstoppable, giving the visitors the lead.
The same duo would combine again to make it 2-0, this time a low cross being smashed in from similar proximity to the Motherwell net.
There was one last twist in the tail as Frears hung the ball up for Jake Hastie to nod in at the death, but County held on to get their name in the hat for the next round.
