St Johnstone moved off the foot of the cinch Premiership desk with a priceless 1-0 victory over Ross County at McDiarmid Park.
Graham Carey’s sensible strike following a incredible workforce transfer clinched Saints’ second win of the season and made it seven factors from their final three league encounters.
Craig Levein’s aspect moved as much as tenth place, a degree forward of County who now discover themselves within the play-off place – whereas Livingston have dropped to backside spot on aim distinction.
Levein made one change to the aspect that had been pegged again towards Motherwell in midweek, James Brown returning to the beginning eleven to interchange Sven Sprangler.
Will Nightingale and Ben Purrington returned to the County defence within the place of the suspended James Brown and George Harmon, who started the sport on the bench.
How St Johnstone earned priceless win
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Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between St Johnstone and Ross County.
A tepid first half introduced little in the best way of leisure, with neither aspect capable of take pleasure in a sustained spell of possession.
The guests had a penalty declare waved away after eight minutes when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Matt Smith.
It took till simply earlier than the half-hour mark for the primary effort on aim, Carey skewing a low drive previous the publish.
Saints goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov had nearly been a spectator through the opening 42 minutes, although he was ultimately labored when he comfortably held Scott Allardice’s shot from simply outdoors the field – the primary try on course of the sport.
County boss Malky Mackay changed Victor Loturi with Kyle Turner on the break in an try and inject some much-needed attacking spark into his workforce.
It was St Johnstone who started the second half the brighter of the 2 although, passing up two good alternatives throughout the area of a minute.
Nicky Clark’s overhead kick beat Ross Laidlaw earlier than cannoning again off the crossbar previous to Carey being denied by the legs of the Staggies keeper.
The sport was exhibiting indicators of opening up, and a swift break by the away aspect led to a very good alternative for Yan Dhanda who blazed over from a promising place.
Saints had been dealt a blow on 62 minutes when Clark limped off after sustaining what gave the impression to be a calf harm, forcing Levein to introduce Stevie Might instead of the in-form striker who had scored three objectives in his final three appearances.
The one aim arrived with 19 minutes remaining. Luke Robinson’s charging run led to Might discovering Carey on the sting of the field, and the midfielder curled a beautiful effort past the helpless visiting keeper.
Might ought to have put the sport out of sight after 85 minutes when he linked with Daniel Phillips, however he fired his effort straight on the County keeper.
The house supporters erupted on the ultimate whistle, as they’d the chance to savour three factors that would show to be very important come the tip of the season.
St Johnstone supervisor Craig Levein: “I talked to them [the players] after the Motherwell sport about us getting spooked, properly I believe we have handled the ghosts now and that’s proof sufficient that we will address stress in a state of affairs the place we’re in entrance.
“I can not off the highest of my head keep in mind a clear-cut alternative for Ross County in order that pleases me enormously.
“The second half, I believe we had extra management of the sport and what a aim to win any sport – that is the standard Graham has received.
“There’s some glimpses of fine stuff, some actually good issues at present however hopefully we will get extra of them.”
Ross County supervisor Malky Mackay: “Once I take a look at it in the long run, we did not have sufficient that had been exhibiting that additional little little bit of duty at present and that is not like them – if nothing else we’re a courageous workforce.
“Over the past couple of weeks – the three away video games at Dundee, Motherwell and Hibs – we have proven up very well.
“It was a scrappy sport at present, I stated at half-time that one second of high quality was going to vary this sport between each groups and Graham Carey scores an excellent aim.
“We simply did not have that additional little little bit of leading edge and high quality all around the park really that we have proven within the final couple of weeks – particularly away from dwelling.”
What’s subsequent?
St Johnstone’s subsequent Scottish Premiership match is away to Hearts on November 25 whereas Ross County host Kilmarnock.
Each video games kick-off at 3pm.
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