Aberdeen 2-0 Ross County: Curtis Main double sends visitors bottom

Curtis Main has been "itching" to prove himself after injury troubles, said Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes, after the striker's double sent Ross County bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

On only his second league start of the season, and with Sam Cosgrove benched, Main netted early in each half to earn his side a first win in five games.

It moved McInnes' men move level on points with third-placed Celtic.

"This season has been frustrating for Curtis," said McInnes.

"He hasn't managed to put together enough training minutes due to issues with his hamstring and thighs.

"But the last 10 days he hasn't missed any training. He led the line brilliantly and was a pivotal part in us winning the game."

• Reaction & as it happened

County scorned two good chances at 1-0 down before slipping to a fifth consecutive away defeat, and have now taken two points from 27 in a dismal run.

Aberdeen's last win came at Pittodrie five weeks ago, and their return home brought instant relief.

Just five minutes in, Tommie Hoban headed down a Ryan Hedges corner and Main - preferred to Cosgrove up front - pounced to bundle home his first Premiership goal of the campaign.

The strike settled McInnes' side, who were a threat on the flanks with wing-backs Jonny Hayes and Connor McLennan sending over a couple of dangerous deliveries.

The hosts struggled to add penetration to their possession, though, and County were revived by a change of formation from manager Stuart Kettlewell, who sent on Billy McKay and went with two up front.

The switch should have paid off right on half-time when McKay was left all alone six yards out to meet a Stephen Kelly free-kick, only to glance his header over the bar.

And County came even closer when Ross Stewart stabbed inches wide from a looping Josh Reid cross.

Moments later, Aberdeen doubled their lead. Hayes supplied Hedges, who swivelled and scuffed his shot into the path of Main to apply a thudding finish.

Stuart Kettlewell's men kept at it - substitute Michael Gardyne volleyed wide before Joe Lewis denied Stewart with a terrific stop - but are now nine league games without a win.

Man of the match - Curtis Main

Two goals capped an excellent shift from the Pittodrie forward

What did we learn?

McInnes' gamble in dropping first-choice striker Cosgrove - Aberdeen's top scorer in the past two seasons - paid off handsomely as Main grabbed his chance to impress.

And victory is a welcome tonic for the manager after Aberdeen suffered two cup exits amid a rocky run of one win in seven games.

County stunned Celtic in the League Cup a fortnight ago, but their league form is pitiful. Although they matched Aberdeen for long spells, a failure to take good chances at one end and lax defending at the other proved fatal.

What's next?

Ross County host Hamilton Academical in a key contest at the bottom next Saturday (15:00 GMT), with Aberdeen away to Kilmarnock the following day (12:00).

What did they say?

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "We got off to a good start and carried it on with real momentum.

"Ross County's changes threw us a wee bit, but we addressed that and started the second half really bright. Thankfully Curtis gets us the second goal and it allowed us to play out the rest of the game the way we wanted."

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We didn't show that cutting edge in front of goal again, which is frustrating. It's fine margins and there's not a lot going in our favour.

"We know we're in a bad spot but if we feel sorry for ourselves we're never going to turn our fortunes round."