Ross County are late winners to clinch the Scottish League Cup against Hibs
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ROSS County dug deep to seal a thrilling 2-1 final victory against Hibs and become the Scottish League Cup winners at Hampden today (Sunday).
This was the Dingwall club's first-ever final in this competition, although six years ago at the National Stadium they lost 3-0 to Dundee United in the Scottish Cup showpiece.
They were then a Division One club but this afternoon they went into this one as the Premiership club, with their opponents from Edinburgh one level down, though packed with quality and widely tipped to join Rangers back in the top-flight next season via the play-offs.
County reached the final thanks to a stirring and deserved 3-1 win against Celtic here at Hampden at the end of January.
Prior to that, they knocked out neighbours Caley Thistle 2-1 in Inverness in the quarter-finals.
Manager Jim McIntyre hailed their outstanding 7-0 rout against Falkirk as one of their best 90 minutes of the season in a previous round and they kicked off their bid for the League Cup with a no-nonsense 2-0 win against Ayr United.
Hibs, who contest a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay at Caley Thistle next Wednesday, kicked off their League Cup charge by sweeping past League Two opponents Montrose 3-0 then they edged past Montrose of League One by a single goal.
It was their 2-0 victory against then unbeaten Aberdeen which really caught the attention and they followed that with a 2-0 quarter-final win against another Premiership team in Dundee United.
While County were aiming to win this cup for the first time, Hibs last got their hands on it in 2006-07 when they thrashed Kilmarnock 5-1.
County went into the game on the back of a last-gasp 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat against Dundee United eight days ago at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
They were without main keeper Scott Fox, who is sidelined for two months with a knee injury, and striker Craig Curran, who continues his steady recovery from a second spell out following concussion.
The Staggies went into the game with two changes to their starting line-up, with the addition of Ian McShane and forward Alex Schalk.
Christopher Konopka was also on hand as a substitute for goalkeeper Gary Woods.
Fresh from their training week in Malaga, Hibs manager Alan Stubbs welcomed back 13-goal hitman Jason Cummings, while on-loan Celtic star Anthony Stokes was also in the line-up.
Midfielder Marvin Bartley was also available again and in the line-up for the Championship club.
Jason Cummings was also in for Hibs with Dylan McGeouch out with an injury.
David Gray, Darren McGregor and Liam Fontaine were also on hand to make up a strong defence for the Hibs side.
The Leith side ended the Staggies' interest in the League Cup last season with a simple 2-0 win at the Global Energy Stadium
Prior to their Scottish Cup draw with ICT last week, Hibs lost three successive league games, while County's form had been patchy, so both teams were after a good start here on the big stage.
The game got off to a thrilling start with County's Alex Schalk and Ian McShane challenging early.
However, near misses from Jason Cummings and Liam Fontaine in the first 10 minutes showed the Championship side's intent.
Hibs continued to press as a cross from David Gray had just too much pace for Cummings as the ball narrowly slipped passed the net.
Pressing from County led to the opener on 26 minutes.
Man-of-the-match Jackson Irvine won the ball from Anthony Stokes and set up Michael Gardyne.
Holding off the challenge from Bartley, Gardyne found the back of the net to hand the Staggies a 1-0 advantage.
Hibs' Liam Henderson tried to answer back in the 29 minute, but Irvine was on hand once more to see off the threat.
Just a minute later, a corner for Henderson offered Hibs another chance but captain David Gray was unable to convert.
Darren McGregor tried again for the Edinburgh side in the 36 minute, however his misjudged header saw another one fly past the net.
Just four minutes from half-time, Hibs had their best chance to that point as Cummings was again narrowly denied the back post.
Hibs' efforts paid off just seconds from half-time as a mighty strike from Fontaine slipped past the Staggies defence to make it 1-1.
The second half saw both teams come out fighting and Hibs had the first near miss a couple of minutes in with Bartley unable to convert an assist from Henderson.
Ross County was the first team to make a switch, swapping striker Boyce in for Brian Graham in the 58 minute.
Bartley picked up the first yellow card in the second half as in the 61 minute in a race for the ball with Graham he struck out his left arm bringing the striker down.
Gardyne then looked threatening as he broke away to pass the ball to Schalk, however McGregor cleared it from the box. More false hope was given to the Staggies fans as a goal from Graham was ruled as being off-side in the 74 minute.
Graham hit the back of the net again just shy of the 80 minute mark, however for the second time in less than 10 minutes it was again disallowed, this time for a push, which seemed harsh.
Then came the moment no County supporter is likely to forget.
The Dingwall team roared in the 89 minute as Dutch striker Schalk clinched the victory when he knocked the ball into the back of the net from close range as Fontaine failed to clear a cross from Gardyne.
Hibs skipper Gray made one last effort to force extra-time, heading the ball for goal but keeper Woods gathered without a fuss. Fontaine had another go with an overhead kick just seconds from the final whistle, however this sailed over the top of the net.
After more than four minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew and the party began for the 8,000 County fans inside the National Stadium in Glasgow.
The players are back in business this Wednesday when they travel to St Johnstone, aiming to remain in fourth position in the Scottish Premiership.
Ross County: Woods, Davies, Irvine, Gardyne, Foster (Franks 85), Schalk, Quinn, McShane (Murdoch 79), Woods, Fraser, Boyce (Graham 59). Subs not used: Konopka (GK), Boyd, Robertson, De Vita.
Hibernian: Oxley, Gray, McGregor, Fontaine, Stevenson, Bartley (Boyle 90), Thomson (Keatings 76), McGinn, Henderson, Cummings, Stokes. Subs not used: Virtanen, Gunnarsson, Handling, Dagnall, El Alagui.
Referee: Kevin Clancy.
Attendance: 38,796
