St Mirren's Killian Phillips and Ross County's Eli Campbell battle for the ball in a tense affair in Paisley. SNS

St Mirren's Killian Phillips and Ross County's Eli Campbell battle for the ball in a tense affair in Paisley.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Greg Kiltie's penalty miss proved costly as St Mirren were held at home by Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

The hosts had the chance to take the lead in the first half when referee Don Robertson awarded a spot-kick - following VAR intervention - for Eli Campbell's tug on Marcus Fraser's shirt.

But Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw saved Kiltie's effort and neither side could find the breakthrough in a tight contest.

With 12 games played Stephen Robinson's side move up to sixth in the table, with Don Cowie's County level on points but two places below in eighth.

Jordan White should have capitalised on Laidlaw's save by putting County ahead before the interval.

A lovely cutback from James Brown set up White perfectly in the St Mirren box, but the striker could only watch his effort sail over the crossbar.

Chances were scarce but just before full-time, St Mirren substitute Mikael Mandron had a great opportunity to snatch a winner.

He received the ball in the middle of the box, chested it on to his foot, but could not direct his effort on target.

County might have made more of a late chance too when Richard Taylor gave away a free-kick right on the edge of the St Mirren box, but Ronan Hale fired right into the wall.

Saints struggles throw up more concern

Having ended a four-game losing streak by returning to winning ways in midweek, Robinson will be frustrated his side couldn't make it back-to-back victories.

The goalless draw throws up more worries for Saints. Kiltie's miss raises questions over who will take their penalties from now on, with Mark O'Hara having also struggled from the spot this season.

Of the host' 11 attempts, only three were on target and the likes of Toyosi Olusanya, Mandron and Jonah Ayunga were not clinical.

But after three games in a week, the Paisley men sit sixth in the table and have a much-needed break to prepare for next Saturday's trip to Easter Road.

Important point for County

Another point on the road will be pleasing for Cowie, whose side haven't won away in the league in over a year.

County weren't overrun in the 90 minutes either and had their own opportunities to snatch a victory.

They often looked threatening on the break, Jack Grieves did really well in attack, but surely the most pleasing aspect for Cowie will be the performance of his goalkeeper.

A penalty save and a couple of other important stops from Laidlaw made it two clean sheets in two games against some tough opposition.

What they said

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It's an opportunity missed.

"It was different from the last two games, Ross County slowed it down and it looked like they were playing for a point until the very end.

"It's an opportunity missed, I think we should have won the game. Lessons learned, we remain unbeaten and we go again."

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "The objective before the game was to try and get three points but it's a really difficult place to come.

"I thought we defended extremely well and I'm really proud of the team coming away with a clean sheet."

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