St Johnstone 1-1 Ross County

Graham Cummins' second-half equaliser earned St Johnstone a point for the second game in a row as the home side fought back against Ross County.

County started brightly and went ahead when Craig Curran outpaced the defence, latched on to Liam Boyce's pass and fired low across Alan Mannus.

The visitors had chances to extend that lead but Cummins struck moments after watching a shot strike the post.

His a controlled effort into the left corner ensured a point apiece.

In a hard-fought, high tempo encounter a draw was a fair outcome, although both managers will point to chances that could have won the contest.

Jim Mcintyre's side were intent in starting strongly after conceding early penalties in their opening two matches this season.

They did just that with Andrew Davies given space and time at the back post with two headers which suggested frailty in the home defence.

Cummins earned a start for St Johnstone after two goals in two substitute appearances, and should have hit the target with a header from Liam Craig's corner.

Jackson Irvine then conceded cheap possession and Cummins hooked a cross from the left towards goal which Scott Fox held well.

Ross County looked sharper in this period though and Boyce's flick on to Irvine's chest allowed the midfielder in on goal, but his touch was marginally heavy and Mannus pounced.

Without defensive regulars Fraser Wright, Steven Anderson and Dave Mackay, the home side looked vulnerable at times in the first half and markedly so when the opener arrived.

Boyce measured a ball in behind for Curran to chase and the in-form striker struck a confident low shot into the far corner.

Craig Curran netted his third goal in two games

Further dithering at the back for Saints allowed Raffaele De Vita to nip in but the ball was eventually gathered by Mannus.

Tommy Wright's side had presence up front in John Sutton and Cummins and it became more problematic for Ross County as the game wore on.

Sutton nodded a corner towards goal and it rebounded out to Craig but he lashed at it and the ball sailed wildly over.

The visitors then had two great chances to extend their lead.

De Vita stole in to meet Michael Gardyne's cross and watched as the ball crept inches wide via a Mannus touch.

Ian McShane then broke into the box but fired straight at Mannus.

St Johnstone looked far brighter as the second half got underway and Michael O'Halloran looked threatening when he broke on the right and narrowly failed to find John Sutton.

O'Halloran then completely outstripped the County defence before finding Cummins in the box and the big striker could only look on as his placed effort came back off the upright.

He did not have long to wait for a goal, however, as the ball fell to him inside the are on the right.

Cummins did hesitate and confidently angled his across Fox into the corner.

Neither side took a step back in a fiercely competitive second half.

De Vita did have a great opportunity when Mannus dropped a free-kick but the winger's attempt to loft the ball home drifted wide.

Either side could have won the match as the play ebbed and flowed but neither could find the opening they craved as the match ended frenetically but all square.