Sportscene analysis: 'One defensive lapse so costly for County'
Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Charlie Mulgrew dissect Ross County's "well-structured" defensive performance against St Johnstone that had them on course for survival until Adama Sidibeh's last-gasp equaliser. (Available to UK users only)
The fight for survival goes to the wire. After conceding a late goal, Ross County were pegged back to a draw against St Johnstone in the battle at the bottom to avoid the play-off spot.
We asked for your views after the result in Perth - here's a taste of what you had to say:
Rick: It's never easy with County, minutes away from being safe and a lapse in concentration sends us fighting for survival against a now confident Aberdeen. I can't see us getting anything on Sunday and we need Motherwell to do the business for us. We are our own worst enemy!
Ron: There was sadly every reason to fear that two of our major weaknesses this season would once again prevail - a failure to convert chances and conceding late goals. The travelling support was magnificent and a tense afternoon ahead on Sunday. Our difficulty in keeping possession and inconsistency in keeping the ball on the ground may cost us again.
Watch highlights of the 1-1 draw between St Johnstone and Ross County that takes the battle to avoid the relegation play-off place to the final day. (Available to UK users only)
Don Cowie reacts to Ross County's draw with St Johnstone.
Image source, SNSRoss County interim manager Don Cowie told Sportsound: "I'm really proud of the performance. We've not managed to pick up enough points away from home but when we put in performances like we did tonight, you deserve to get something out of the game.
"I would've loved to have gotten the three points but we take the point and we move on.
"The game comes Sunday and that's really quick. We've got to turn our attention to Aberdeen straight away. I've got so much belief in this group, they've done so many good things over the last six-to-eight weeks and now it's still in our hands and it's about finishing the job.
"The performance was really good, they've got real belief. They'll be disappointed and rightly so on the back of conceding so late. That's football, that happens, it's about bouncing back.
"We're at home and, bar last week against Motherwell where we had a poor performance and result, we've been very good. Aberdeen are in really good form right now but it's a challenge that we're looking forward to."
Adama Sidibeh’s late header was enough to send the relegation play-off place battle to the final day as St Johnstone claimed a dramatic draw with Ross County at McDiarmid Park.
Yan Dhanda’s first-half solo strike looked set to secure County’s place in the Scottish Premiership and condemn the hosts to second bottom until Sidibeh planted an inch-perfect header past Ross Laidlaw in the 91st minute.
St Johnstone remain two points behind County, who welcome Aberdeen on Sunday while the Perth side visit Motherwell.
What did you make of that County fans? Did you deserve all three points? And do you think you have enough to stay up?
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland
While County’s efforts may have been devoid of much art, it had plenty of soul. They looked certain of the plan, showed the steel required, and seemed pretty comfortable throughout.
One lapse of concentration has cost them though, and a visit from on-form Aberdeen will certainly worry them. They'll be hoping former County-man Blair Spittal does them a favour on Sunday.
If they do fall into the play-offs, they should have the individual quality to see them through in Murray and Dhanda.
Image source, SNSSimon Murray. A pest all evening for the St Johnstone defence, he has been vital throughout the whole season for County.
So many defences have been able to cage him, and it'll be extremely difficult for County to keep hold of him next season.
Yan Dhanda gets a mention, too. If that is his last County goal, he's gone out in style.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone have won both of their last two league games against Ross County; they’ve never won three in a row against the Staggies in the top-flight before.
After their 1-0 defeat in November, Ross County could lose back-to-back top-flight away games at St Johnstone for the very first time.
St Johnstone are winless in eight home league games (D3 L5), losing each of their last three in a row. The Saints haven’t scored more than once in any of their last 12 home league matches (nine goals overall).
Ross County are winless in 16 away league games (D5 L11), losing each of their last seven in a row. This is both the longest winless and losing run they have ever suffered in the Scottish top-flight.
St Johnstone’s Craig Levein has never lost to Ross County as a manager in the Scottish Premiership, winning three and drawing three of six previous meetings.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone manager Craig Levein is not anticipating any notable changes to the squad he had at his disposal for Saturday’s defeat at Livingston. Luke Robinson (knee), Tony Gallacher (calf) and Sven Sprangler (knee) all missed that match although the Austrian midfielder is pushing for a return.
Ross County are still missing Max Sheaf (muscle), Dylan Smith (ankle) and Scott Allardice (knee). Ross Callachan is back training after 13 months out with a knee injury but is not ready to play.
Ross Morren
Fan writer
When the post-split fixtures were released a few weeks ago, many Ross County fans believed Wednesday’s trip to McDiarmid Park to face St Johnstone would prove to be a season decider.
The Staggies currently sit 10th, two points above the Perth side going into this crucial match.
A win would secure our Premiership status for next season. Anything less would take the battle to avoid the play-offs to the final day of the league season.
Both sides go into the game following defeats but under very different circumstances. Don Cowie endured his first home defeat as interim manager as his side were thrashed 5-1 by Motherwell, whereas St Johnstone fell to a 2-1 defeat at Livingston thanks to Andrew Shinnie’s 95th-minute winner.
In Dingwall, Motherwell were clinical in front of goal and punished the Staggies for their individual mistakes and some slack defending in the latter stages.
For the fans travelling down to Perth, they’ll hope to see something that has been extremely hard to come by this season - a win outside Dingwall.
County have only picked up one victory on the road, a 1-0 win against Kilmarnock on 2 September. Since then, they’ve only taken five points from a possible 48 on their travels.
Despite Saturday’s defeat, it feels like there’s more momentum on County’s side going into this crucial match.
With six games to go they were four points behind St Johnstone. But they now know a victory will guarantee top-flight football in Dingwall for another season.
Ross County face a huge battle with St Johnstone in their bid to avoid the relegation play-off.
After Saturday's 5-1 defeat to Motherwell, what changes should Don Cowie make to his starting line-up?
Put yourself in his shoes and pick your XI here.
Image source, SNSDon Cowie insists he's seen "more than enough" to suggest Ross County can secure Scottish Premiership survival with victory over St Johnstone on Wednesday.
Three points at McDiarmid Park would see the Dingwall side move five points clear of their opponents with just one game to go.
"We've got belief," Cowie told BBC Scotland.
"Over the last six to eight weeks, we've picked up some very good results. We've got to take a lot of positivity from that.
"It's going to be a real challenge, a tough game, because there's a lot at stake.
"I'm sure St Johnstone will be ready and prepared, but we've got to match that and go beyond that.
"We know what's it stake if we can get the three points. Do I believe we can do that? Of course I do.
"I've seen more than enough over the past two months [to suggest] we can do do that but we're going to have to be at our best."
County are looking to bounce back after Cowie suffered his first home defeat in charge against Motherwell at the weekend.
"It's a honest group," he added. "We've spoke about Saturday, we dealt with that."
"We've managed to put ourselves in a very good position. With six games to go we were four points behind St Johnstone.
"We now find ourselves two points ahead. We've got to feel good about ourselves."
Image source, SNSRoss County interim manager Don Cowie has been speaking to BBC Scotland as his side gear up for a pivotal relegation clash with St Johnstone on Wednesday.
Here are the key points:
Insists players are feeling "really positive" heading into a "really important" game on Wednesday.
Believes the group's "honesty" has helped them reflect and move on from a heavy defeat to Motherwell at the weekend.
Says his side have created "belief" in their form before Saturday, though stresses they must "match and go beyond" the performance set by St Johnstone.
Expects a fast start from the home side to rouse the home crowd, but thinks he has players that can "hurt the opposition".
Has seen "more than enough" over the past two months to assure him they will secure their Premiership status.
Image source, SNSRoss County head into a crucial meeting of relegation rivals with St Johnstone as "slight favourites", says Richard Foster.
Having played for both clubs, the former defender believes the Dingwall side are more likely to score in a high-stakes contest at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday.
However, Foster points to County's poor record on the road as a sign of hope for St Johnstone, who he believes will need a strong defensive showing to move out of the play-off position.
"I think Ross County have more goals in the team," he tells BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"Simon Murray's got a great return for a team that are near the bottom of the league.
"They also have got the option of Jordan White, who came on the pitch and makes a difference because of his aerial prowess.
"It's all about whether St Johnstone can stop Ross County scoring and then nick one up to the end.
"I know they actually played quite well against Livingston and missed a few chances.
"But I think for me, I would slightly favour Ross County. Having said that, I don't think their record in Perth is very good. Their record away from home is not very good."
Watch BBC highlights, as Motherwell thrash Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.
Available to UK users only.
We asked for your thoughts after Ross County were thrashed 5-1 by Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
Here's what you had to say:
Alistair: I was shocked by their performance. They let themselves and their manager down badly. Wednesday night is the real relegation play-off because neither St Johnstone nor the Staggies will survive games against top Championship sides. Last chance saloon is in Perth.
Ron: A frustrating day in Dingwall. Ross Laidlaw’s errors for the first two goals gave Motherwell an advantage we struggled to overcome. A shame as he has been so good recently. Still, at 1-2 it was quite tight with no shortage of chances that were passed up. Blair Spittal killed the game with his class strike for their third - the best player on the park by far.
Image source, SNSMotherwell have scored 22 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (25) have scored more in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Ross County have conceded 17 goals to opposition substitutes in the Scottish Premiership this season, more than any other team.
Ross County have conceded 22 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Motherwell have scored 14 goals via substitutes in the Scottish Premiership this season, only Celtic (21) have scored more.
Image source, SNSRoss County manager Don Cowie told BBC Radio Scotland: “I'm disappointed at the way the game finished, we gifted them two goals in the first half and they punished us for that.
“At 2-1 with ten minutes we’re still in the game, just disappointed at the way we lost our discipline and when you do that against a good team with good players, they pick you off and that’s what they did.
“We maybe just got a little desperate, players coming out of their shape and trying a little too hard and coming out of their shape, and players like [Blair] Spittal and [Theo] Bair they take advantage of that.
“The message from me is really clear, you can feel sorry for yourself tonight but when you wake up tomorrow you’ve got to be positive and think about a massive game on Wednesday.
On Ross Laidlaw’s first-half errors, he added: “He’s disappointed but I was really clear at half time, he knows he’s made two errors but on the back of games against Hibs and Rangers he did more than enough to get three points so it was about us trying to bail him out.
“We didn't manage to do that but I’m sure he’ll respond.”
Image source, BBC SportWere you at the match in Dingwall or following along from elsewhere?
We want your views on Ross County's loss here.
