Watch best of action as St Johnstone beat Ross County

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

St Johnstone ended their seven-match winless streak with their first home Scottish Premiership victory this season against nine-man Ross County.

Despite being appointed on 1 October, new head coach Simo Valakari watched his side's win from the stand with the relevant paperwork yet to be completed.

The Finn would have had a smile on his face, though, when Benji Kimpioka cushioned in from close-range to deafen County cries of a foul in the build-up.

A quick VAR check - citing minimal contact - muted their pleas, and they were left shaking their heads once more when wing-back Eli Campbell was brandished a red card following two reckless and needless challenges inside the opening 31 minutes.

Even without the player advantage, St Johnstone were well within their groove and a second goal seemed a question of when, not if.

It should have came earlier than it did, as Kimpioka skied a glorious chance inside the box, but the forward made no mistake seconds later, latching onto Matt Smith's killer cross to power his shot past Ross Laidlaw.

St Johnstone strolled through the second half, and should have added to their tally with Kimpioka, Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark all passing up inviting chances.

Clark did celebrate a neat flick from close by but after a VAR check, his goal was chopped off for offside.

But County got no such reprieve when Charlie Telfer was shown a straight red when his dangerous, straight-leg tackle caught Sven Sprangler.

With virtually the last kick of the ball - and likely the last piece of action under Kirk's stewardship - Makenzie Kirk, caretaker Andy's son, toe-poked in a third.

The result lifts the Perth side level on points with County who are in eighth, but they remain one behind on goal difference.

St Johnstone players leave good impression

When Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh are in the mood, they really are a dangerous duo and a frightening prospect for most defences in the league.

They are both so powerful in their press and cause havoc with their movement.

Though Kimpioka got his double, he really ought to have been going home with the match ball while, at worse, Sidibeh should have been celebrating one of his many shots.

They spearheaded a well-organised and patient St Johnstone, whose fans can only be disappointed they didn't walk away with more.

At times, there was a little frustration at the way the team appeared content passing the ball around in the second half. Perhaps the events of the 3-3 draw with County just a matter of weeks ago are still in the minds.

But rarely do St Johnstone have the luxury of spraying the ball around with zero pressure, dominating and being in cruise control. Three things they were here.

Kirk said pre-match the players were playing to prove themselves to Valakari in the stands. Many will have left a good impression.

Inconsistency strikes for County

For all the praise County rightly received for their performance against Celtic before the international break, they'll rightly receive criticism for this.

Even before going a goal or player down, Don Cowie's side were far from their structured and disciplined best.

The defence were shaky, Laidlaw was erratic and the midfield and forward players could not make an impact on the game.

Campbell's crazy decision cost his team, leaving his side with an insurmountable task.

With just 27% in the second half, County couldn't break from their rigid defensive shape and fleetingly ventured into their attacking half.

Plenty to ponder for Cowie who came here in high hopes following the showing against Celtic. Inconsistency strikes again.

What they said

St Johnstone interim boss Andy Kirk: "It's a good day for us and a win that we much needed, so I'm really pleased for the players and for fans.

"The supporters deserved that, and the players definitely served that for the efforts they've put in over the last few weeks, so we've got to be really pleased for them.

"Hopefully we can continue on that vein, and if we do we give ourselves a chance to pick up more points as the season goes on."

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "You don't want to be 2-0 down with 10 men, but what I did say to them was 'let's go and work hard and put our bodies on the line'.

"I'm just really disappointed to get to the last minute of the game and concede a third goal because if we came away with a 2-0, I would have accepted it to a degree, in terms of playing for a long time with 10 men and then nine.

"We have to respond. We took a big travelling support and we let them down."

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