Ross County 2-3 St Johnstone

Mackay curled home a superb winner with just two minutes remaining

A superb free-kick from Dave Mackay snatched victory for St Johnstone in a five-goal thriller at Victoria Park.

Saints appeared to be cruising when a double from David Wotherspoon gave them a two-goal cushion before half-time.

County hit back through Liam Boyce and a Murray Davidson own goal and looked to have earned a share of the points.

But Saints captain Mackay curled home a long-range strike in the dying minutes to snatch a seventh consecutive away win in all competitions.

Manager Tommy Wright will be thrilled that the winning away run continues, but his team made life difficult for themselves by surrendering a two-goal lead, and County will feel they might have won in the end as they pressed forward.

The Staggies had scored in every home game this season. More impressively, St Johnstone had scored in every domestic match and it did not take long for them to continue that run.

What seemed a harmless pass back to home keeper Woods resulted in a bizarre goal that had County boss Jim McIntyre fuming on the touchline.

Wotherspoon took his goals tally to five for the season

The goalkeeper took his time with an attempted clearance but Wotherspoon had not given in and saw the ball ricochet off him and straight into the net for the opener.

The home side responded with Boyce directing a firm header on target from Jackson Irvine's near post cross, only to see Alan Mannus parry to safety.

Richard Foster almost created an equaliser with a cross from the left but Stewart Murdoch couldn't capitalise from close range under pressure with the goal gaping.

Tony Dingwall then narrowly missed the target with a low shot across Mannus as the home side stepped up the pace.

St Johnstone stamped their authority with a brilliant second. Wotherspoon cut inside Murdoch, into the area and curled a beauty past the outstretched arm of Woods to put his side firmly in command.

County got the shot in the arm they required arrived when Boyce reacted to a ball across the six yard box to slam County back into contention at 2-1.

They took heart from that and, from a corner, Andrew Davies and Davidson challenged for the ball, with the Saints midfielder steering the ball into his own net under pressure.

As the home side smelled blood they created some unrest in that St Johnstone back line but Wright's men have shown their fight and ability many times and pulled a win out of the bag at the finish.

Michael O'Halloran was hauled down by Davies. McKay sized up the free-kick from 25 yards and superbly curled it over the wall for a winner that not only reinforces their top six position, but has them within touching distance of the top three.