Match Report: STM 1-0 RCFC

Ross County were defeated 1-0 by St Mirren at The SMISA Stadium this afternoon after Jamie McGrath’s contentious late penalty rescued 3 points for the host

McGrath’s calm strike snatched a victory for Saints after 45 minutes of relentless second-half Ross County pressure.

After 20 minutes of uneventful early sparring, both sides finally created their first ‘half chances’ of the tie. Blair Spittal’s whipped, in-swinging corner from the left-hand side was almost turned in by the thumping head of Keith Watson before Ethan Erahon’s sliced right-footed volley brought an underwhelming end to a 5-stroke match of ‘head-tennis’ in the County penalty area.

The SMISA stadium is no Centre Court, but the Buddies and the Staggies were struggling to break the serve of their opposition on the grass in the early stages.

However, on the half-hour mark it should have been advantage St Mirren. Kyle McAllister’s inviting left-footed cross from a wide free kick was met by the head of Conor McCarthy on the edge of the six-yard box who directed his effort goalward. Somehow, the outstretched left arm of Ross Laidlaw was able to scoop McCarthy’s header away to deny the defender as it looked destined to nestle in the bottom left corner.

McCarthy had the only major chance of the opening 45 minutes and if they were not bailed out by Ross Laidlaw’s spectacular save, County would have entered the break behind. St Mirren were the slightly better of the 2 sides but neither team looked at their best.

Yogi clearly was not satisfied with the first half performance and opted to make a triple substitution at half time. Alex Iacovitti, Coll Donaldson and Oli Shaw replaced Michael Gardyne, Tony Andreu and Carl Tremarco as the Staggies switched to a 3-5-2 formation.

Shortly after half time, County must have surely thought they had taken the lead! Blair Spittal released Jason Naismith on the right-hand side who hung up a perfect chipped cross to the centre of the box for Jordan White. The in-form striker then thundered a header from close range towards goal, but it was incredibly pushed onto the crossbar by Jak Alnwick. White then looked to stab home the rebound but Saints were successful in partially clearing the ball before Stephen Kelly picked up the ball on the edge of the area. The Rangers loanee then arrowed a right-footed shot at Alnwick’s goal but again County were cruelly denied by the woodwork! In a minute of footballing madness, Saints somehow survived.

15 minutes before the full-time whistle, County came close to taking the lead again! Alex Iacovitti produced an inventive volley at the near post from Harry Paton’s corner, but his looping effort was headed off the line by Cameron McPherson.

Despite all of County’s second half dominance, St Mirren were gifted the lead against the run of play as they were awarded a penalty in the 82^nd minute. The referee adjudged that Leo Hjelde had tripped Quaner in the box before Jamie McGrath calmy rolled the subsequent penalty down the middle of the goal for his 10^th of the season.

Just 2 minutes later, Harry Paton missed a golden opportunity to immediately equalise for the visitors. Cameron McPherson and Jake Doyle-Hayes both contested a defensive header and clattered into each other as the resulting ball broke to Harry Paton on the edge of the box. With the 2 Saints defenders on the ground, Paton had a clear sight of goal, but he blazed his left-footed attempt over the bar.

In the final minute of regulation time, Jordan Tillson also passed up an opportunity