Match Report | Killie 2-2 RCFC

Ross County came from behind twice to claim a 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock at the BSSP Stadium this afternoon.

Chris Burke fired the hosts in front before Michael Gardyne immeditely equalised in the first 5 minutes. Mitch Pinnock then put Killie ahead again before Alex Iacovitti’s first league goal for County earned the Staggies a draw.

In just the 3^rd minute of the match, the home side took the lead. Aaron McGowan picked up the ball on the left of the box after a Killie corner evaded the heads of both sides. McGowan’s subsequent cross was partially cleared by County, but the ball fell to Chris Burke on the edge of the area who thundered a volley into the bottom left corner.

However, the Staggies were able to provide an immediate response with a goal of their own just 2 minutes later. Jason Naismith floated a deep cross towards the diminutive Billy McKay who sprung above his marker and flicked the ball on for Michael Gardyne. The former Killie player then stepped inside of his defender and powered a left footed shot beyond Colin Doyle to grab his first goal of the season!

In the 16^th minute, the hosts regained the lead through Mitch Pinnock. The forward collected the ball on the edge of the area from a deep free kick and successfully held off Keith Watson before spinning and firing his right-footed effort under Ross Laidlaw and into the goal.

2 minutes later, County almost clinched an immediate equaliser again! Jason Naismith’s cross flashed across the face of goal and landed into the path of Carl Tremarco at the back post. However, the full back was unable to guide his difficult header into the net as he watched his attempt fly over the crossbar.

In the 43^rd minute, the Staggies came close to equalising again. An excellent team move freed Billy McKay on the edge of the area who then picked out Michael Garydne. Gardyne then chopped inside of Zech Medley to the right of the box but his following left footed shot was dragged just wide of Colin Doyle’s goal.

Just 4 minutes after the restart, Jordan White nearly levelled the match for the Staggies. The striker got on the end of Carl Tremarco’s deep cross but his looping header at the back post struck the crossbar as it looked to be on its way in.

Less than 2 minutes later, County passed up yet another golden opportunity! It was Ross Draper this time who connected with Iain Vigurs’ free kick but his free header from 6 yards out was glanced just wide of the goal.

In the 54^th minute, the Staggies finally found the net with their third headed opportunity in 5 minutes. Iain Vigurs’ in-swinging corner from the right-hand side was met at the back post by Alex Iacovitti who headed the ball into the bottom left corner from close range for his first league goal of the season.

Substitute Harry Paton had an instant impact when he came on in the 70^th minute and nearly provided a goal for the visitors. The Canadian burst past 2 defenders on the right wing before picking out Michael Gardyne arriving in the box, but the winger sliced his left-footed attempt wide of the goal.

In the final minute of regulation time, Killie nearly grabbed a winner. Alan Power done well to slide in Chris Burke, but his drilled right footed shot from the right of the box was expertly saved by Ross Laidlaw with a low right hand.