County ease play-off fears

ROSS County moved three points clear of the relegation play-off place in the First Division with a narrow, but deserved, victory over Queen of the South on Tuesday night.

Following the abandonment of this fixture seven days earlier at Palmerston because of floodlight failure - the second time this has happened to County in Dumfries this season - the game went ahead at Stirling's Doubletree Dunblane Stadium after Scottish Football League officials relented upon their original decision to replay the game at the Doonhamers home ground.

Following Saturday's loss to Dundee, County were in desperate need of the points as they looked to put some daylight between themselves and Cowdenbeath, the current occupiers of the relegation play-off spot.

Goalkeeper Michael McGovern was called into action early on to save a Stephen McKenna header, while at the other end Andrew Barrowman and Stuart Kettlewell both had chances for the Dingwall club.

The breakthrough for County eventually arrived in the 29th minute, Michael Gardyne scoring from 12 yards to put his side on the way to a precious three points.

County had further chances in the second half to make it more comfortable, but one goal was enough to claim the victory.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH - McKenzie; Black, Lilley, Quinn (McShane, 56), Harris, Carmichael, Johnston, McGowan, McLaren (Degnan, 65), McKenna, McMenamin. Subs unused: Smylie, O'Hear, Hutton. Booked: McMenamin, McLaren, McKenna.

ROSS COUNTY - McGovern; Miller, Boyd, Kettlewell, Morrison, Gardyne, Brittain, Flynn, Di Giacomo (Wood, 84), Vigurs, Barrowman. Subs unused: Marr, Milne, Corcoran, McCarthy. Booked: Kattlewell.

Attendance: 266.

Referee: E. Smith.

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