Ross County see off Kilmarnock in thriller

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29 Dec 2015

By Martin Dowden BSports Scotland at the Global Energy Stadium

Michael Gardyne's double edged Ross County to within a point of fourth place in a five-goal thriller.

The home side capitalised on a fast start when Craig Curran tapped home before Tope Obadeyi equalised with Kilmarnock's first effort on target.

Josh Magennis knocked home a corner straight after half-time before Gardyne took control with two fabulous finishes across Jamie Macdonald.

Defeat leaves Gary Locke's side in the relegation play-off place.

Jim McIntyre's side began with real attacking intent, creating chance after chance in the opening minutes.

Gardyne, Jonathan Franks and Liam Boyce all threatened early on, and the opener duly arrived when Jackson Irvine drove forward and picked his moment beautifully to release Gardyne in behind.

The winger measured a low ball across the six-yard box which Curran tapped home easily despite Kilmarnock goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald's efforts.

It was well worked by the home side but at this level you expect better defending.

Obadeyi was first to threaten for Kilmarnock as he kept going despite being fouled, but his shot was wide of goal.

To their credit, Kilmarnock managed to stem the tide and chances became infrequent. You began to wonder if a failure to press home that early dominance might end up costly.

Craig Curran gave Ross County the lead at home to Kilmarnock

It did. Obadeyi chased a ball across goal, gathered, evaded Jamie Reckord and drilled in a low shot to the astonishment of the home crowd.

If County wondered how they were only level at half-time they were immediately considering how they were behind right at the start of the second period.

A well-worked corner saw Magennis lose his marker at the front post and he touched home just inside the post.

However, McIntyre's side are nothing if not resilient as they proved in the 5-2 win over Dundee.

A superb ball from Irvine out wide released Gardyne who seemed on form all night and he drilled a low effort across Macdonald for a prompt equaliser.

Magennis was upended by Boyd giving Craig Slater a free hit, but he misjudged the bend and curl and it sailed over.

Gardyne's influence was to prove decisive as he gathered on the left again and jinked brilliantly before sending another shot across Macdonald into the far corner. It was a man of the match performance.

Irvine then drove forward again and released Boyce on the left, but his shot was weak and saved by Macdonald

Incredibly Kilmarnock should have squared it once more when Obadeyi had a header from eight yards after a wonderful ball from Magennis.

Boyce's fierce drive was well saved by Macdonald before substitute Kris Boyd headed narrowly over right at the death but County held out for a valuable win.

Kilmarnock must hope results elsewhere go in their favour having played two, or in some cases three more games than sides immediately above them with Dundee United now having the opportunity to close in with two games in hand.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Ross County

01 Fox
12 Foster
05 Boyd Booked
15 Davies
03 Reckord
07 Gardyne
36 Irvine
26 Woods (Murdoch - 66' )
17 Franks (Quinn - 71' )
10 Boyce (Graham - 88' )
11 Curran

Substitutes

02 Fraser
04 Quinn
09 Graham
18 Murdoch
21 Woods
23 Schalk
24 De Vita

Kilmarnock

21 MacDonald
14 O'Hara (Syme - 59' )
26 Balatoni
05 Findlay
22 McHattie Booked
19 Slater
03 Smith
23 Kiltie (Boyd - 70' )
39 Frizzell (Carrick - 84' )
16 Obadeyi
28 Magennis

Substitutes

01 Ridgers
09 Boyd
17 Splaine
18 Ashcroft
20 Carrick
24 Syme

Ref: Steven McLean

Att: 3,518

Match Stats

Possession 60 40

Shots

12 9

On target

7 2

Corners

8 3

Fouls

11 14

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Ross County 3, Kilmarnock 2.

90:00 +5:02 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Ross County 3, Kilmarnock 2.

90:00 +4:00

Stewart Murdoch (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +3:57

Foul by Dale Carrick (Kilmarnock).

90:00 +3:12

Attempt missed. Conrad Balatoni (Kilmarnock) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a corner.

90:00 +2:40

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Jackson Irvine.

90:00 +2:09

Corner, Kilmarnock. Conceded by Jackson Irvine.

90:00 +1:40

Foul by Jackson Irvine (Ross County).

90:00 +1:40

Steven Smith (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the left wing.

87:51

Hand ball by David Syme (Kilmarnock).

87:03 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Ross County. Brian Graham replaces Liam Boyce.

83:47 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Kilmarnock. Dale Carrick replaces Adam Frizzell.