Watch highlights as Ross County win 2-1 against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Joshua Nisbet opened his Ross County account in stunning fashion to earn a deserved Scottish Premiership victory over blunt Motherwell in challenging conditions in Dingwall.

Seven minutes after Ronan Hale had extended his fine start to life in the Highlands by slotting in the opener, Australia midfielder Nisbet curled an excellent 20-yard finish beyond helpless goalkeeper Aston Oxborough.

Zach Robinson's late header offered a lifeline to the away side, who have enjoyed an impressive campaign, but it came too late in a tough afternoon in the driving rain.

The Fir Park club advised their fans not to travel north because of the impact of Storm Bert, and those who stayed at home did not miss much as their team lacked attacking quality for the majority.

Aside from Steve Seddon's first-half effort - which forced Ross Laidlaw to push wide in the home goal - and Robinson's consolation, chances were severely limited for Stuart Kettlewell's men.

The same could be said for County's opening period, but they stepped it up after the break to earn a win that lifts Don Cowie's side to seventh.

Hale shines again in positive display

Nisbet's lovely goal will likely be the initial talking point among the County fanbase post-match, but that cannot detract from the eye-catching start Hale has made.

Signed from Cliftonville in the summer, the striker is a gripping watch, constantly positive in his play and determined to get shots away.

An ambitious one from the Northern Irishman sailed wide in the first half before he had a dangerous effort blocked and another parried over after the break.

He is now on eight goals for the season, with his excellent first touch and composed finish for the opener highlighting why he is already on such an impressive tally after just 17 games.

Open-play issues remain for Kettlewell

Almost a year ago to the day, Kettlewell said a sobering 3-0 loss in Dingwall was the "sorest night" of his career.

It came amid a long winless run and felt like it could have been the end of his Well tenure, but his team have made huge progress since despite another defeat in the Highlands.

But there are still concerns about his side's creativity in open play this term. Nine of their 16 league goals - including Robinson's late header - have come from set plays.

In Dingwall, they had almost 60% of the ball but generated an expected goals (xG) tally of just 0.78.

In-form Tawanda Maswanhise was named on the bench because he returned late from international duty, but that meant the attack lacked the Zimbabwe forward’s raw pace and flair as fellow striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was left isolated.

What they said

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I thought the first half hour of the second half we were excellent.

"I'm disappointed to concede late on but we managed to see it out and get a valuable three points.

"We attacked [the second half] really well. We built upon that and got the second goal and easily could've had a third."

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I feel sorry for the fans who came up, the game had little quality and a nature the support can't enjoy, stop-start constantly.

"We were comfortable in the first half, fashioned one real chance. It was always going to be a game with very little in it. When they scored the two goals we became ragged and scrappy.

"We played into the drama and the stop-start nature. That's our responsibility."

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