Ross County climbed within two points of the Scottish Premiership top six - and five clear of second-bottom Dundee - with their first home win since November.

Simon Murray bent the visitors ahead just four minutes in with a terrific swerving strike from the left angle of the box, swooping high beyond Jordan Amissah.

County soon rallied, though, and after George Harmon, Ronan Hale and Connor Randall went close, Kieran Phillips knocked home the leveller.

The January signing forced into an empty net after a teasing Harmon delivery was nodded back across the face of goal by Kacper Lopata.

County emerged from half-time with ruthless intent, stunning Dundee with two goals in the first four minutes of the new half.

Hale spurned a brilliant chance from close range, but from the corner which followed, Akil Wright sent an outrageous scissor kick into the away net.

Two minutes later, Dundee were reeling again; Hale springing Phillips down the right and he squared for Noah Chilvers to bullet home first-time, marking his 24th birthday with a goal.

Dundee toiled bravely, shelling the home box with an array of crosses, chips and deliveries, but failed to find the clinical touch to prevent a fourth league loss on the bounce. Jordan McGhee spurned a glorious stoppage-time header which might have thrown them a lifelie.

Tony Docherty's team remain six points above basement club St Johnstone, who face Hearts on Sunday.

County have proven incisive on the counter-attack of late - sinking Motherwell 3-0 last weekend with just 31% possession - and while they enjoyed much more ball, the theme continued.

The technical attributes of Chilvers, and the industrious work of wing-backs Harmon and Wright, came to the fore again when they swaggered downfield.

The quality of Harmon's crossing is exceptional, his diagonal from the right arrowing on to Lopata's head; another wonderful ball from the opposite touchline nearly allowed Wright to convert; before the wide men did link up decisively for the latter's goal.

This was a win of great importance given their long wait for a home victory, and the congested nature of the Premiership table, and one they saw out with minimal fuss.

After Murray's opener, Dundee were quelled a little by the strength of County's response. When the teams returned for the second half, they were positively stupefied.

Docherty's troops have enjoyed encouraging moments this season, but given their recent Premiership travails - successive 6-0 defeats by Hearts and Celtic before a 2-1 loss to Aberdeen - their confidence appears damaged.

They did create chances. They did produce phases of fluency. But they seldom looked capable of mustering the conviction to capitalise on them.

Massive fixtures against Motherwell and St Johnstone beckon in the next seven days.

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "It was an excellent team performance.

"I was most pleased with the way we responded to going behind, we were not spooked by it and deservedly got back in the game at 1-1.

"We came out the traps flying after half-time and scored two goals. A fantastic win, and it keeps the momentum going."

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "Extremely disappointed. County were stronger in the first half, and I asked the players for more at half-time.

"We need to realise we have put ourselves in a situation only we can get out of. It was going to be a dogfight and, it pains me to say it, but County did that better."