Kilmarnock missed the chance to move into the Scottish Premiership top six as they were held to a goalless draw by Motherwell at Rugby Park.
The home side dominated for most of the match and passed up a host of opportunities to put away a side whose best openings came against the run of play.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "We've played worse and won games. I thought we were terrific, it's hard to be critical. But it's our job to win games and find a way to score a goal.
"But we have a combination of the offside goal, the crossbar, good blocks and us being a bit rushed at times.
"You could feel - not the anxiety - but we just needed to stay calm. We got plenty of bodies in the box and set play opportunities. You can be critical from a manager's point of view in terms of how we can make more of those opportunities.
"But in terms of how we set about the task, it was one-way traffic. Draws should feel like defeats at home. I've always felt that since we came to Rugby Park, and it's not a bad thing draws feel that way.
"It does feel like there was so much more to get from that game.
"I would rather play rotten and get a scrappy 1-0 win. That's the way it is."
McInnes says Kyle Vassell is out for two months with a ligament tear and Innes Cameron has torn his hamstring and will be out for seven to eight weeks.
As a result the Killie boss says his priority his to bring in a striker this month, having previously been looking for defensive cover.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell sustained his injury in the recent win over St Mirren
Kilmarnock have confirmed strikers Kyle Vassell and Innes Cameron are facing two months out following scans on recent injuries.
Captain Vassell was substituted in the first half of the Rugby Park side's victory at home to St Mirren on 2 January.
And Cameron had to be removed early on in Sunday's defeat to Ross County.
The double blow limits the attacking options for Derek McInnes, whose side passed up a number of clear-cut chances in Wednesday's goalless draw with Motherwell.
Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDerek McInnes bemoaned the lack of attacking thrust from his side in the defeat to Ross County, and while they looked far more dangerous and created numerous chances against Motherwell, there is still a lingering sense they are lacking an out-and-out goalscorer.
Murray was once again a threat throughout, getting in behind the defence, creating openings for himself and his team-mates.
Those chances all went unconverted and this felt like a big opportunity missed for Killie to advance their top-six challenge.
Proven top-flight goalscorers certainly don't come cheap, but with injuries to Kyle Vassell and Innes Cameron, McInnes may well be trying to unearth a gem in the transfer market between now and the end of the month.
Image source, SNSFraser Murray was outstanding. He created eight chances, put in 16 crosses and with some better finishing from team-mates would have ended with at least one assist. Liam Polworth was influential in midfield, too.
Image source, SNSArmstrong is yet to hit top gear in the 2024-25 season
Former Scotland striker Lee Miller has backed Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong to rediscover his best form amid speculation of a move away from Rugby Park.
Manager Derek McInnes has "accepted" Armstrong will leave in the summer when his contract expires, but said last month there had been no contact from fellow Premiership club Hearts amid reported interest from Tynecastle.
The 27-year-old had 23 goal contributions last season, but is yet to score this term in 25 appearances, although he has chipped in with five assists.
Miller says McInnes must unlock Armstrong's ability while he is still in blue and white if Killie are to climb the league table.
"He is a top talent, Armstrong, and he will look to progress and go to bigger and better things, no disrespect to Kilmarnock," Miller told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"But at the end of the day, he needs to start performing for Kilmarnock, and McInnes knows that.
"He probably understands and realises that he won't have Armstrong next season, so he needs to get the best out of him. And Armstrong will know that himself, so he's a threat. If he plays, he's a threat.
"His deliveries and his goal contributions haven't been great but he'll look to turn that around."
Image source, SNSDefender Joe Wright has urged his Kilmarnock team-mates to put Sunday's dispiriting defeat against Ross County behind them quickly - because they need to prove they are not a one-season wonder.
Killie defied their relatively small playing budget to finish fourth in the Scottish Premiership last season and qualify for Europe.
They had won three successive home games before facing County and could have moved into the top six with a victory but produced one of their worst displays of the season to lose 1-0 and instead fall to 10th.
"It was obviously good to achieve something in one of the seasons I've been here, but it can't be just one season," the 29-year-old said.
"We can't be known for arriving in the top six once. We want to do it year in, year out.
"It was a sloppy game on Sunday. There was nothing really between the two teams but we lost a late goal and weren't really our usual threat.
"We probably didn't do the basics well enough, which is something we are usually really good at."
Wright is poised to make his 100th appearance for the club at home to Motherwell on Wednesday - and is grateful to have got his career back on track in Ayrshire.
The former Doncaster defender joined Killie in the summer of 2022 after 12 months out of the game through injury.
"Coming here on the back of a bad injury, with quite a bit of uncertainty because of that injury, I'm really happy to rack up 100 games in quite a short period of time," said the former Wales Under-21 centre-back.
"I wouldn't say it has exceeded my expectations because I didn't have any expectations.
"To come here and, in the main, play every game I've been available for – I'm delighted with that."
Kilmarnock have won three of their past four home league games against Motherwell (D1) since a 1-0 defeat in February 2021.
Motherwell have only suffered one defeat in their past seven league meetings with Kilmarnock (W2 D4), going down 1-0 in November 2023.
Kilmarnock have won their past two midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games, last winning three such matches in a row in the Scottish Premiership in December 2018/January 2019 – a run which included a 1-0 win over Motherwell.
Motherwell have lost four of their past five away league games (W1), including their past two. Not since November 2023 have they lost three on the bounce on their travels in the league – the third game of which was at Kilmarnock (1-0).
In his managerial career, Derek McInnes has only won more Scottish top-flight matches against his current club Kilmarnock (24) than he has against Motherwell (20).
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Derek McInnes admits injuries to Kyle Vassell and Innes Cameron may prompt him to sign a new striker in the January window.
Captain Vassell went off with a shin problem against St Mirren on Thursday, while Cameron suffered a suspected hamstring injury just three minutes into Sunday's defeat at home to Ross County, with both set to be scanned this week.
Before Wednesday's crunch match against top-six rivals Motherwell, McInnes hinted that Killie may also be in the market for a defender, with centre-back Stuart Findlay out for the majority of the season with severe ligament damage.
He said: "We could do with good fortune on Vassell's scan. The X-ray was clear but we need further investigation to see if more is shown up. He's still in pain, he's still in a boot.
"Innes has been doing well but if it's hamstring, then we would naturally look at the forward areas as we are short there. We lacked a bit of presence against Ross County.
"With Stuart Findlay's injury, we were maybe looking at a defensive option to bring in.
"If we can get good news on Vassell and Cameron, then it might not be as pressing to get someone in at the top end.
"If it's bad news then our focus might need to go there. Let's wait and see what we are dealing with first."
With Killie not in league action again for over two weeks following Wednesday's game, McInnes is desperate for his side to bounce back from their surprise defeat to County when they host a Motherwell side who sit six points ahead of them in their quest to reach the top six.
He added: "This is our last league game until January 25. That's a long wait for us.
"We had this opportunity to go into the top six and we didn't take it. It's very tight with five or six teams and if you can get a run, three or four wins from five, it helps.
"We are at home and it's up to us, regardless of who is available, to have that laser focus and do what we can to get a result."
The Killie boss also revealed that Matty Kennedy is being sent to see a specialist as he looks to get to the bottom of a back issue, although Rory McKenzie and Liam Polworth could both return from injury for the game against the Steelmen.
Sandy Armour
Fan writer
It's been an inconsistent last couple of weeks for Killie.
We briefly climbed the table before quickly dropping back down again.
A win on Wednesday at home to Motherwell would see us in sixth, but we'll need to vastly improve on our showing during the defeat to Ross County.
The injuries are mounting so the squad will be stretched to the extreme as we welcome the Steelmen fresh from a fine win over Aberdeen.
I'd love to see Liam Polworth back from injury as we simply don't have the same control of games when he is absent.
We looked totally clueless on Sunday with no passing through midfield and two wingers well out of form. Perhaps it's time for Gary Mackay-Steven to replace Danny Armstrong for a run of games.
The transfer window is now open of course, although the manager may need to ship a few out before he gets new faces in.
His summer policy of simply re-signing last season's main men has backfired and we badly needed some extra quality to rejuvenate this squad.
We have a wee break this weekend so it would be nice to grab a win over Motherwell to get us in a positive frame of mind for the upcoming cup game at Parkhead.
Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine
Killie fans, we asked you for your January transfer wishlist.
Here's what some of you are hoping for:
Stuarty: Without a doubt we need an experienced centre-half to cover for Stuart Findlay and allow Lewis Mayo to go back to right-back. Neither defensive loanees, Jack Burroughs and Oliver Bainbridge, have impressed. Happy to let them and Rory McKenzie go if he can find regular football somewhere else and continue his career at the right level.
David: We've been crying out for a midfield playmaker for several seasons, so that should be our number one aim. Defensively we need cover and arguably a right-winger as well to replace Danny Armstrong.
Neil: We still, even now, need a goalscorer, though Bruce Anderson has started to come good lately. Someone to shore up the defence would be welcome too and if there's a deal on offer for Armstrong, we should take it, no questions asked!
Callum: In high need of an out-and-out winger to replace Armstrong and a proven goalscoring striker.
DM: We need two centre-backs, a CDM, a winger, and a striker. Would let go of McKenzie. Innes Cameron has been effective as a substitute, but would understand if he wants to leave for more game time. Bainbridge has proven to be not up to scratch either. Would take £100k for Armstrong and let him go to Hearts now. His head is gone, he has no effort and desire to do well for us now.
Killie fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's defeat to Ross County.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Anna: Awful performance, bereft of any ideas and attacking threats were zero. Danny Armstrong was garbage, Rory McKenzie would have put in a better shift. As for strikers, why wasn't Bobby Wales starting the game instead of coming on from the bench?
Robert: Absolutely the poorest performance for a couple of seasons, losing Innes Cameron didn't help, Marley Watkins was thrown in far too soon and his lack of match sharpness was apparent (not his fault, Innes injury). The defence looked hesitant, wingers were ineffectual, the only spark was Kyle Magennis.
Kenny: A lacklustre performance, Kilmarnock really missed having a powerful forward up front to hold the ball up. There wasn't much in the game to excite either set of fans. I thought we had done enough to get a draw so disappointing to walk away with no points!
Jim: I have been beating the same drum for some time now. We are not good enough with a lot of the players past their best. We are in a relegation battle now and we have no money to get us out of the mess we are in. Our young players are the shining light, play them.
Anon: We have been here before, Europe one season then relegation the next. Cameron, Watkins, Joe Wright and Kyle Vassell won't keep us in the league never mind the top six. No leader on the park and the starting 11 gets chopped and changed every week which is not helping.
Stephen: Infuriating performance, 95 minutes of hoofing the ball in the direction of Bruce Anderson, despite it being obvious early on it wasn't working. County coped easily and broke with a pace and purpose we lacked. We had no plan B and Derek McInnes was outsmarted by a still rookie manager who got his tactics spot on. County got what they deserved. So did we.
Sportscene analysis: 'Brilliant County goal but Kilmarnock should avoid it'
The Sportscene team analyse Ross County's winning goal at Kilmarnock.
Available to UK users only
Image source, SNSNoah Chilvers has assisted four goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player.
Ross County have scored in their last six games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 11 games from 11 December 2021 to 9 February 2022.
Kilmarnock have failed to score in eight of their 22 games, only Ross County (nine) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.
Ross County are undefeated in their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 15 May 2024 to 10 August 2024.
Highlights: Kilmarnock 0-1 Ross County
Ross County strike late to take all three points against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).
George Harmon's 86th-minute strike gave Ross County their third win in four Scottish Premiership games as they beat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
County now rise up to ninth, leapfrogging Kilmarnock who drop to 10th.
What did you make of that one, Kilmarnock fans? Do you think you did enough to get something from that game?
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland: "We looked a bit blunt in terms of our attacking threat today.
"At the very least we should be getting a 0-0 and bemoaning the fact that we need to do better in attack. We didn't have any real control of the game at any point, Ross County looked a bit brighter than us early on.
"They were more alive and more alert to certain situations. That said, second half we played more in their half but we were a wee bit unconvincing. We huffed and puffed.
"We missed Vassell leading the line for us. There's reasons for why we weren't at our best but it was certainly a disappointing afternoon for us.
"We knew we had an opportunity to move into the top six with a win. Any opportunities to win a home game, you've got to try and do that but we weren't good enough."
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSIt was Ayrshire's finest, Robert Burns, who wrote 'the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry'.
That was the case for Derek McInnes, with Innes Cameron brought on to add some freshness to the front line and give Marley Watkins and company a rest.
That lasted for five minutes, with the big striker going down with a hamstring injury. On came Watkins, who came off again after the hour mark, running on empty.
That was the case for plenty of the Kilmarnock players, despite the four changes. They barely laid a glove on County in the first half, with not a single shot on target.
That has been the problem too often this season. They have failed to score in eight of their 22 games and rarely looked threatening today.
Kilmarnock have been able to come back after going behind this season, winning twice on such occasions, but that has not happened at home. Rugby Park has become pregnable and McInnes can no longer rely on good home form to keep them away from danger.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock's Marley Watkins and Ross County's Ryan Leak hope to be fit
Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell was taken to hospital with a shin injury after the new-year win over St Mirren.
But fellow forward Marley Watkins is expected to return and winger Danny Armstrong is back from suspension.
Matty Kennedy is battling a back problem, while Stuart Findlay is a long-term absentee.
Ross County will check on the fitness of Michee Efete and Ryan Leak after the defenders went off injured in Thursday's win at Aberdeen.
On-loan midfielder Aidan Denholm is back at parent club Hearts to have a hamstring injury assessed, while Eli Campbell, Ross Laidlaw, Will Nightingale and Alex Samuel miss out.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have only lost one of their last nine Scottish Premiership home games against Ross County (W6 D2), going down 0-1 in September 2023.
After their 2-1 victory in October, Ross County are looking for back-to-back wins over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since September 2017.
Kilmarnock have won each of their last three home league matches, last winning more in a row in the top-flight in January 2019 (run of five) under Steve Clarke.
Ross County have won both of their last two away league outings, as many as their previous 31 on the road beforehand (W2 D9 L20). Never before in their top-flight history have they enjoyed three away wins in a row.
Kilmarnock's Bruce Anderson has scored seven Scottish Premiership goals against Ross County – his most against a single opponent.
Sportscene pundit Steven Naismith on the costly lapse from Alex Gogic that led to St Mirren conceding the opener in their defeat at Kilmarnock.
We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 2-0 home win against St Mirren.
Here's what some of you said:
Stephen: Another good home performance with passing, movement and a strong press. Our defence was excellent when Saints did have spells of possession, with Lewis Mayo back to something like last season's consistency. Good call from Derek McInnes bringing on Kyle Magennis when Kyle Vassell went off injured. His added composure in midfield meant better balance up front.
Robert: Very good professional performance. Probably the most comfortable win this season as I couldn't see St Mirren score. When I see the number of ridiculous yellow cards we've had this season it astounds me that Alex Gogic got away with constant fouling. No wonder he was hooked.
John: Got lucky with penalties. Penalties have been good to us this season, it would be good to score more goals from open play but take a win anyway. We have tricky games ahead but they are winnable.
Sean: Impressed with Bruce Anderson's performance. We need to start him most games. Against St Mirren's defence, he was causing all sort of problems. We need to shoot more, as too often, we tried to pass it into the net. But a good performance and win to start 2025.
David: Overall a positive three points with no goals conceded. Thought the midfield ran the show during the first half. Gogic should've been sent off before he was taken off. Onwards to Sunday's game!
Scott: Pretty comfortable win. Maybe not as exciting a performance as last week but St Mirren never laid a glove on us. I said before the Hearts game a few weeks ago that this would be a big period in our season and so it is proving.
