Irn-Bru Division One
Dens Park, Dundee.
Sat. 25th February 2012
Ross County held onto top spot of the first division after a battling performance at Dens Park - despite Falkirk levelling County's points total after their win over Queen of the South.
County took the lead after eleven minutes when Stuart Kettlewell converted a cross from Richard Brittain. However Dundee were awarded a dubious penalty shortly before half time, Ryan Conroy equalised for the home team
However both teams had chances to win the game int he second half, but neither team were able to take advantage. County will be the happier team as this result keeps them top of the league, while Dundee remain five points behind, and County still have their three games in hand.
Derek Adams made two changes to the team that drew with Ayr Utd last week, Steven Craig and Mark Corcoran dropping to the bench while Michael Gardyne and Stuart Kettlewell took over int he starting eleven.
County started the game the brightest, and on the eleventh minute took a deserved lead. A deep cross from the left towards the back post found Richard Brittain unmarked, he hit the ball low across the six yard line where Stuart Kettlewell was on hand to prod the ball into the net - much to the delight of both the players and the large and noisy County support located at that end of the ground.
County continued to control the game, and pressed Dundee back into their own half for much of the opening half hour. And County came so close to doubling their lead, but Scott Boyd's header was scrambled off the line and hooked clear.
Stuart Kettlewell received a booking midway through the first half when he made a challenge on Jamie McClusky, the home fans were appealing for a red card, but there was plenty of cover behind Kettlewell.
However Dundee were to equalise against the run of play when they were awarded a dubious penalty. Carl Finnigan ran into the box, but appeared to dive over the outstretched leg of Grant Munro, at first the referee indicated play on, but moments later pointed to the spot - did the linesman give the award, or had the referee waited for an advantage ? Either way Dundee were awarded a soft penalty kick, Ryan Conroy converted the penalty, hitting it low into the bottom right corner, just beyond the reach of Michael Fraser.
The second half was a midfield battle, with Dundee players finding it hard to stay on their feet, and the referee being conned by their actions resulting in a stop-start game that really struggled to get going.
County were playing a counter attacking game, and Gardyne was set free mid way through the second half, however he seemed to lose his footing and the chance was gone.
A similar move a few minutes later saw McMenamin, the player who was set free by a Iain Vigurs pass, however the linesman judged him to be offisde, but as he ran in on goal after the whistle went, Rab Douglas ran from his goal and made a crude challenge on him, both player were booked, Douglas for the challenge, and I assume McMenamin for playing on after the whistle went.
McMenamin came closest to scoring int he second half; but his downwards header was deflected onto the bar and over the top - strangely the officials gave a goal kick when it clearly looked as though it should have been a corner.
Paul Lawson and Michael Gardyne were both on the receiving ends of some hard challenges.
With Dundee in desperate need of a winner to salvage any hopes they have of the fighting for the league, they pressed County back into the closing stages, but they were unable to break through the County defence.
They did have an appeal for a second penalty when Finnigan again went down easily, but thankfully referee Mike Tumilty wasn't conned for a second time, much to the annoyance of the home support.
This draw makes it 20 leagues unbeaten for Ross County, a new club record. The previous record was a 19 league game unbeaten in season 1998/99 when Ross County won the 3rd Division.
Full Time : Dundee 1-1 Ross County
County Team : Fraser, Miller, Morrison, Boyd, Munro, Lawson, Gardyne (Corcoran), Kettlewell, McMenamin (Craig), Brittain, Vigurs
Unused Subs : Malin, Quinn, Flynn
