Stunning Staggies overturn first half deficit against St Mirren to climb off the bottom of the Cinch Premiership with goals from Jordan White, Jordan Tillson and George Harmon
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Ross County (1) 3
St Mirren (2) 2
(Scorers: RC - White 10, Tillson 56, Harmon 60; St M - Strain 13, O’Hara 45)
Ross County's now familiar autumnal recovery looked to be underway last night after a stunning comeback victory over St Mirren took them off bottom place in the Premiership.
With two unlikely lads grabbing the second half goals, Malky Mackay's team grasped a third league win of the campaign despite seeing Jordan White's 10th minute opener overturned in the first period.
It fell to midfielder Jordan Tillson, with his first goal in 92 appearances for the Staggies, and George Harmon, a left-back netting for the first time since his summer move from Oxford City, to turn the game on its head with fine finishes.
It was a deserved transformation – with Mackay's men looking far more assured, confident and effective in the final third than even a few weeks ago.
Momentum had been building lately without much reward, but some of their football was superb.
They now sit three points above bottom side Dundee United ahead of a midweek trip to Hibs and Saturday’s Celtic Park examination.
Fifth place St Mirren, coming off a 3-0 beating await to Hibs, had come north eyeing the opportunity to leapfrog the Easter Road outfit with a win to move joint third alongside Aberdeen, but have now managed just one win in their last five outings.
Inside three minutes, Yan Dhanda picked up the ball in the middle of the park and released Owura Edwards on the right.
Edwards swung in a teasing cross which curled invitingly towards Jordy Hiwula at the edge of the six-yard box, only for Alex Gogic to make a clearing header for a corner.
From another County flag-kick, seven minutes later, the hosts grasped the lead.
Left-back George Harmon’s delivery from the left was knocked out of the danger area, but Loturi killed the high ball with ease and then swerved a lovely ball into the six-yard box where the alert Jordan White strode in to score from a few yards.
County looked comfortably in control., but a spot of brilliance within three minutes had the Buddies back on level terms.
Jack Baldwin was guilty of a clumsy foul on away skipper Jonah Ayunga 22 yards out on the left.
Ryan Strain stepped up and scorched a wonderfully struck dead ball finish high past the flailing Ross Laidlaw.
Vice-captain Baldwin required treatment and by the 26th minute had to hobble off to be replaced by club captain Keith Watson.
It became very cat and mouse in midfield towards half-time, with hosts holding sway in possession and always showing the greater willingness to get forward
Saints, though, were a constant threat on the counter-attack.
County created a fine chance after 33 minutes when Harmon made good ground on the left and swept a high ball to the edge of the Buddies’ penalty area.
There, Dhanda showed a deft touch inside the ‘D’ but delayed releasing a shot under pressure.
Instead, he slipped a pass to White who, this time, was wild with a finish scooped over the bar.
Just when a half-time stalemate seemed likely, Saints struck a vital second in first half stoppage time.
From Ethan Erhahon’s corner, Jordan Tillson tried to clear with his head but Mark O’Hara nodded it back goalward, striking the underside of the bar.
The ball bounced down over the line and while Ayunga made sure, it was O’Hara’s goal.
Having dominated possession and spent.
It was a bitter pill for the hosts, right on half-time, given their overall superiority.
County had a bit of defending to do from the restart, but were left aggrieved on their first real attack of the second period.
Just as Dhanda found sight of goal outside the penalty area to the right, referee John Beaton blew to halt play after a collision between Jordan Tillson and O’Hara.
But the Staggies were level after 56 minutes after sustained pressure paid off as the game flipped on its head.
The hosts were patient and their moment came when Edwards’ cross from the right bounced perfectly into space for Tillson.
From the edge of the area, the midfielder thumped a fine left foot finish low past Trevor Carson to the keeper’s left.
It was Tillson’s first goal for the club in 92 appearances since arriving from Exeter City in
There was more joy for County almost on the hour mark.
Again it was Edwards, the Bristol City loanee on the right, who delivered a pinpoint cross for Harmon to finish from six yards with a controlled header - also his first since joining in the summer.
County remained calm and in control for a good spell after their comeback, working hard to take the sting out of St Mirren’s endeavours to find a way back.
With six minutes left, home keeper Laidlaw made a crucial block as Saints' substitute Alex Grieve wriggled in on the left side of the penalty area.
Impressively, County game-managed comfortably in what could have been nervy final minutes, to pick up a crucial win in their final home tie before the World Cup break.
ROSS COUNTY (4-2-3-1) - Laidlaw 7; Johnson 7, Baldwin 4 (Watson 26, 6), Iacovitti 7, Harmon 7; Tillson 7, Loturi 8 (Cancola 73, 5); Edwards 8 (D. Samuel 82, 3, Dhanda 8, Hiwula 7 (Akio 82, 3); White 7. Subs: Eastwood, Olaigbe, Munro, Smith.
Booked: Loturi 45
ST MIRREN (3-5-2)- Carson 6; Gogic 5 (Tanser 61, 4), Gallagher 6, Dunne 6; Strain 7, Baccus 6, O’Hara 7, Erhahon 5 (Grieve 61, 4), Fraser 6 (Kiltie 78, 3); Main 5 (Brophy 73, 5), Ayunga 6. Subs: Shaughnessy, Flynn, Henderson, Kenny, Urminsky.
Booked: Main 63, O’Hara 67, Ayungas 69
Referee: John Beaton 7
