Aberdeen 2-1 Ross County: Jamie McGrath winner inflicts harsh defeat on strugglers
- Published
Jamie McGrath celebrates his Aberdeen winner
Managerless Aberdeen "showed character" as they eased their Scottish Premiership relegation worries with a narrow victory over fellow strugglers Ross County at Pittodrie.
A number of defensive errors from the visitors led to Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski opening the scoring after four minutes.
County top scorer Simon Murray nodded in at the back post to equalise midway through the first half, but Jamie McGrath struck the winner 11 minutes from time.
Aberdeen remain ninth but are now level with Motherwell and six points clear of second-bottom County.
"I thought we were going to score more goals," said Aberdeen caretaker Peter Leven. "But credit to Ross County, they caused us problems.
"It's the business end of the season. To get three points at home - where we have not been great this season - full credit to the boys for finding a way to win.
Don Cowie admitted his County side "were spooked" early on as they conceded a poor early opener.
Ryan Leak gifted Aberdeen possession before failing to block Miovski's weak effort, though Loick Ayina's comical attempted clearance also deserved scrutiny.
County reacted well, however, with a low Josh Reid strike forcing a strong stop from Dons goalkeeper Kelle Roos.
An equaliser was soon found as Murray turned in a deep Yan Dhanda cross - the forward's 10th league goal of the season.
Dhanda nearly put County ahead in the second half after sweetly connecting with a dropping ball and blasting inches over on the half-volley.
Aberdeen secured a winner despite County's dominance when Duk found McGrath in a congested penalty area, his finish giving the hosts their first home league victory in seven.
Dante Polvara cracked the crossbar for Aberdeen late on, and Victor Loturi snatched at a potential equalising chance for the visitors.
Aberdeen's win keeps slim top-six hopes alive, while County remain a point behind 10th-placed St Johnstone.
Player of the match - Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen)
Aberdeen attacker Jamie McGrath consistently led attacks despite his side's poor attacking showing, before grabbing the crucial winner
Staggies dominant despite defeat - analysis
Aberdeen caretaker Peter Leven picked up his second win in three games, but there was little to celebrate about the home side's overall performance.
His team were booed off the Pittodrie park at half-time and there is no wonder why, as Miovski's early opener was handed to them on a plate before a poor 40 minutes of football followed.
Staying in the game is all Leven could have hoped for as Aberdeen weathered the storm and kept themselves in it until McGrath popped up to direct home the winner.
Don Cowie will no doubt feel hard done by, though his side lacked a cutting edge that is needed to get a struggling side to safety in this league.
Good chances came and went for Dhanda, Loturi and Jordan White in the second half, as profligacy in front of goal and wastefulness in attacking scenarios ultimately cost the visitors a deserved three points.
The defence held strong at the back, but one well-worked Aberdeen attack punished the Dingwall outfit and keeps them in the relegation play-off spot.
What they said
Peter Leven reacts to 2-1 victory over Ross County
Aberdeen caretaker manager Peter Leven: "I thought we started really well. We scored a good goal but then Ross County came back into it, and we were a little disjointed. But our reaction second half was really good.
"There is no relaxing here. We'll prepare for Livingston. I was told I was taking charge of the Ross County game and we'll re-approach [the managerial situation] next week."
Ross County interim manager Don Cowie: "If you make errors, you get punished at this level. And that is what we did. It was a really good performance, I was happy at 1-1. We were really in the game at that stage.
"I'm really proud of them once again. The away support we took today and I think they can see a team that is working ever so hard and gelling well. We've got to learn why we aren't getting anything away from home."
Don Cowie reacts to 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen
What's next?
Aberdeen travel to Livingston and Ross County head to Kilmarnock, both on Saturday (15:00 BST).