Ross County's Simon Murray scoresSNS

Simon Murray took his tally to 23 goals for the season with a double in Dingwall

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Ross County secured a sixth consecutive season in the Scottish Premiership with a dominant 6-1 aggregate win over Raith Rovers in the play-off final.

Two goals from Simon Murray and one each from Jordan White and Brandon Khela in Dingwall in a 4-0 second-leg victory mean County survive at the final hurdle for a second year running.

They had to come back to beat Partick Thistle at the same stage last year but it was more straightforward this time as Championship runners-up Rovers, who have not been in the top flight since 1997, missed out on promotion through the play-offs for a third time in eight years.

Rovers had looked down and out before the end of the first leg until Sam Stanton reduced the arrears to 2-1 late on in Kirkcaldy.

But, after a tentative start in Dingwall, their slick passing had County on the back foot until White flicked on Will Nightingale’s cross and strike partner Murray stole in at the back post to head in from close range for his fifth goal in eight games.

Rovers continued to dominate possession and Dylan Corr was denied by a goal-saving block from Ryan Leak, while Lewis Vaughan had a low drive across goal turned wide by the fingertips of Ross Laidlaw.

However, when White rose above his marker to head home Yan Dhanda’s corner whipped into the six-yard box two minutes after the break, Rovers found themselves with an even steeper uphill task.

White fired a low drive off the outside of a post before Murray ignited celebrations in the stands with a stunning strike from 18 yards.

Laidlaw secured a first clean sheet in 25 games since December as he denied Aidan Connolly and Dylan Easton before on-loan Birmingham City midfielder Khela fired low past Kevin Dabrowski.

Player of the match - Simon Murray (Ross County)

SNS

Murray (second left) has made the difference for County in the closing stages of the season and the striker's clinical double ensured Rovers' challenge slipped away.

Changes likely after gulf in class shown - analysis

Whether they were in the Premiership or Championship, a wind of change was likely to sweep through both sides this summer.

For County, it looked almost certain - win or lose - that Don Cowie would be confirmed as manager full-time after an improvement in performances and results since taking over from Derek Adams in February.

They had squandered a couple of chances to avoid second bottom spot in the final weeks of the season before finishing below St Johnstone on goal difference, but they proved to be a class above Sunday's visitors.

With classy midfielder Dhanda heading for Hearts and Murray likely to attract suitors thanks to his end-of-season goalscoring, Cowie could be looking to replace some of his top performers in his first transfer window in charge.

Raith counterpart Ian Murray will no doubt also face a tough task keeping together a squad that surprised many by keeping pace with eventual champions Dundee United for so long.

Losing Thursday's first leg in Kirkcaldy to a side who had not won at away from home since September showed the gulf that exists between the top two divisions.

However, amassing a points total that would have won the Championship in the previous two seasons gives Murray something to build on for another title tilt.

What they said

Ross County interim manager Don Cowie: "I spoke to the chairman, we're really aligned, and he indicated I was the person to take the club forward. I felt I was ready to be a manager three months ago - the last three months have only strengthened that.

"I'm really proud of the team, we put ourselves in a difficult position, we had an opportunity to not be in this play-off, but we dealt with it extremely well. Raith are a very good team, they had a fantastic season."

Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray: "It wasn't to be. Congratulations to Ross County. We put a lot of effort into the two games, the scoreline is very harsh.

"I thought at times we were the better side, but their ruthlessness put us to the sword. It's been a long season for us - we'll come back bigger and better - we don't want to be in the play-offs, we want to win the league."

Related topics