Noah ChilversSNS
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Ross County ended a wait of 15 months for an away victory in style by galloping to a 3-0 win over Dundee that lifts them four points clear of the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

September 2023 was the last time County picked up all three points on the road, but goals from Noah Chilvers, Joshua Nisbet and Jordan White secured the Dingwall side's first away under manager Don Cowie.

"Psychologically, for the group it's huge," Cowie told BBC Scotland. "Time will tell how important it is and how we build on it, but it's good to stop the run we were on.

"I saw some individually brilliant performances today and collectively we were really strong. We earned it today."

Chilvers' arrowed strike had the visitors ahead, with the Englishman playing a delightful one-two on the edge of the box before drilling into the bottom corner.

It was Cowie's side who showed they had the mentality to get over the line when Chilvers set up Nisbet nicely, slipping the ball in behind with the Australian midfielder finishing coolly.

Dundee didn't help themselves, gifting County a penalty to kill the game off when Josh Mulligan caught Nisbet when trying to clear a corner. White stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.

County rise to 10th in the league table, moving a point behind ninth-placed Dundee.

Clinical County end drought to give festive hope

It has been 481 days since County won away from home in the league.

It was an early-season trip to Kilmarnock last term, with Simon Murray scoring the winner for Malky Mackay's side. An astonishing 24 Premiership away games ago.

Whatever Father Christmas put in the Staggies' stockings, it certainly worked.

They started well, using player of the match Chilvers well in the hole, as he linked up with Jack Grieves and Ronan Hale up front.

In defence, they were organised and kept Dundee out well, throwing bodies in front of the ball if ever their rearguard was pierced.

Amissah had little, almost nothing, to do in goal. Instead, it was slick play up front that gave them their goals - as well as a helping hand from poor Dundee defending.

Now that monkey is off the back, they can gain confidence and look to build on their decent home form, which has made Dingwall a tricky place to go.

Dismal Dundee turn in worst display of season

Everything that Dundee have been lauded for over the last 16 months since their return to the top flight was missing here.

They offered very little up front and looked porous at the back. It was little surprise Tony Docherty changed two at half-time, but it could have been even more.

They were slow out the blocks and never really fired a shot at their visitors, and the worry is that County are now chasing them down in the bottom six.

The penalty, conceded by Mulligan, might rankle the most. It was a lazy challenge that killed off any hope of fighting back - something Dundee are normally decent at - and epitomised the sluggish nature of their play.

They have shown plenty of courage and grit on numerous occasions since they came back to the Premiership, but they need to be careful or else they'll be dragged into the quagmire with Hearts, County and St Johnstone.

What they said

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I'm delighted to get a really important three points. It was an outstanding performance from start to finish; the boys implemented the game plan really well.

"I'm mainly delighted for the supporters. A lot has been made of the fact we've not won away from home in a long time. The miles that they cover to support us, to win in that manner was very pleasing."

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I didn't see that coming because we knew we'd have to work the ball into wide areas, make good decisions, eliminate players one-on-one and we didn't do that.

"I apologise to the home fans for that. All we can do is make sure we win that derby at home. I feel a bit let down today, we could have done so much more."

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