Dundee 1-1 Ross County: McIntyre proud of hard-working Staggies

County are back in touch with St Mirren at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership and are unbeaten in nine games against Dundee

Ross County's determined response to going down to 10 men against Dundee earned the praise of their manager Jim McIntyre.

Canadian midfielder Terry Dunfield was shown a straight red card by referee Craig Thomson for a challenge on the Dark Blues' playmaker Paul McGowan.

But although Jim McAlister gave Dundee the lead early in the second half at Dens Park, the Staggies fought back to earn a point in a 1-1 draw through Craig Curran, who was making his debut.

"It's a fabulous result, considering we lost Terry Dunfield so early in the match," said McIntyre of the ninth-minute sending off.

"You set your game plan out and the game has barely started and it's out the window and you've got to regroup.

"We knew from then it was going to take a monumental effort and that's what they produced.

Ross County midfielder Terry Dunfield makes his way up the tunnel after being sent off early in the match

"The players were so resolute, the spirit was fantastic and we got the wee breaks when we needed them.

"All in all, Dundee didn't have that many clear-cut chances.

"To a man, the subs that came on as well, they put in a real shift today.

"It's the one thing I'd say since we came in the door that the players have really grasped - hard work gets you results, there is no doubt about that."

McIntyre told BBC Scotland that he thought his goalscorer Curran "led the line really well".

"He constantly puts people under pressure and deservedly got his goal," he said.

The County boss, whose team are still bottom of the Scottish Premiership but on the same points as St Mirren, now wants to see his team find consistency, with the possibility of a new player or two in the January transfer window.

"The backing is there if we see a player that we feel can strengthen the squad and add to the good players that we already have," he said.

For Dundee manager Paul Hartley, there was only dejection that his team had failed to beat 10 men at home.

"With the overall possession and chances that we had, we are bitterly disappointed," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"We felt we should have seen the game out.

"We had loads of the ball and in good situations. We just needed that calmness and composure in the final third and that's the key.

"When you create the chances you must take them and we had enough of them today.

"If we keep creating the chances like we did today hopefully they will finally fall for us. The work rate was terrific; we just needed that bit of quality."

Dees centre-half James McPake, 30, is waiting on the result of a scan after he was involved in a second-half clash with County keeper Antonio Reguero.

Both players required treatment on the pitch, and after the match McPake visited Ninewells hospital for a scan to assess the extent of the injury.