Yan Dhanda boosted Ross County’s hopes of avoiding Premier League relegation because the Staggies held a 2-1 lead over Championship hopefuls LeBron James within the first leg of the play-off remaining at a rain-soaked Stark’s Park. Raith Rovers.
After a uninteresting first half, County took the initiative within the 53rd minute with Dhanda’s penalty following a handball by Euan Murray, earlier than captain Jack Baldwin Headed in from Dhanda’s nook kick within the 71st minute to make it 2-0.
However Rovers saved themselves some hope in Sunday’s second leg at Dingwall once they pulled a purpose again by means of Sam Stanton with eight minutes remaining.
Kirkcaldy are hoping to return to the highest flight for the primary time since 1997, whereas Staggies, who beat Partick Thistle in final season’s play-off remaining, wish to lengthen their five-year keep within the Premier League.
How Ross County Wins
Ross County participant Yan Dhanda celebrates with Jordan White (left) after scoring to make it 1-0
Rice boss Ian Murray has made an enforced change to his squad for final Friday’s semi-final second leg in opposition to Partick, with on-loan County midfielder Kyle Turner – not eligible to face him ‘s mum or dad membership – changed by Jack Hamilton.
County supervisor Don Cowie fielded the identical beginning XI as in Sunday’s 2-2 house draw with 10-man Aberdeen, a consequence that in the end helped St Johnstone transfer above them into tenth place within the Premier League Paved the way in which and bought them into this sport – away.
The guests began aggressively and put the hosts on the again foot early on, nevertheless it wasn’t till the 18th minute that they bought their first purpose when Simon Murray’s Danda free-kick headed vast of the far publish. Apparent alternative.
The house facet then bought into the sport and Euan Murray acquired a cross from Aidan Connolly however didn’t hit the goal with a header from 12 yards.
Each side struggled to get the opposition goalkeepers to work, however County threatened two minutes earlier than the break when Will Nightingale’s shot was deflected away for a nook, with Baldwin flicking previous three Wanderers within the field. crew participant after which noticed his shot blocked by the goalkeeper on the close to publish.
Didn’t trigger their top-flight guests too many issues earlier than the break, Rice got here very near opening the scoring 4 minutes into the second quarter when Lewis Vaughan despatched Connolly out from the proper and the winger reduce inside, simply moments earlier than Throws a curve ball out of attain.
Ross County participant Yan Dhanda scores from the penalty spot
Nonetheless, the house facet have been deflated only a minute later when a VAR verify revealed that Murray had prolonged his arm within the field to dam Eli King’s 25-yard effort, giving County a penalty. Danda’s highly effective penalty went in from the within of Dabrowski’s left publish, however the ball went in as a substitute.
Rice nearly equalized on the hour mark when Connolly’s low shot from the sting of the world was blocked by Ryan Leake, though the ball did go vast of the goal anyway.
With 20 minutes left within the sport, Dabrowski made a terrific save by firing to the left after King’s arc shot. However seconds later, when Dada’s nook kick was headed into the web by Baldwin from exterior the six-yard field, the goalkeeper was helpless.
Ross County’s Jack Baldwin celebrates with Jordan White, Will Nightingale and Connor Randall after making it 2-0
Nonetheless, simply when the rating was about to slide away from them, Rangers grabbed a glimmer of hope within the 82nd minute when Vaughan pushed Ross Matthews in from the proper and the full-back’s cutback was blocked by the quantity eight. Stanton despatched the ball into the web with nice drive.
The house facet have been determined for an equalizer within the closing levels however want a win in Dingwall on Sunday if they’re to finish their 27-year look forward to a return to the Premier League.
What managers say…
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Don Cowie mentioned he was delighted along with his facet’s 2-1 win
Ross County boss Don Cowie: “I feel this present deserves the lead.
“I am disenchanted we did not hold a clear sheet as a result of I assumed at 2-0 we regarded actually snug.
“That’s the one actual frustration, aside from that I’m actually pleased with this crew.”
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Ian Murray says Rice Wanderers are nonetheless on the verge of a draw after 2-1 defeat
rice rangers boss Ian Murray: “I assumed Ross County began properly and it is tough to play in opposition to a better degree crew.
“We have been just a little sloppy at occasions, just a little rushed with the ball. Some changes helped us and for many of the second half, apart from 10 minutes, I assumed we have been the higher facet.
“The purpose on the finish gave us an opportunity. We knew it was going to be tough, however we knew what we needed to do and that is an excellent factor.”
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